Hamas released the last six hostages from the first phase of the ceasefire with Israel this Saturday across three locations in the Gaza Strip.

The freed individuals included Ethiopian-Israeli Abera Mengistu, 38, Bedouin Hisham al Sayed, 37, and those captured during the October 7, 2023 attacks: Eliya Cohen, 27; Omer Shem Tov, 22; Omer Wenkert, 23; and Tal Shoham, 39. The Red Cross facilitated their evacuation from the enclave. 

Despite the release, Israel postponed the liberation of over 600 Palestinian prisoners until Sunday evening. Hamas considers this a violation of the ceasefire agreement and called on mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, to pressure Israel into fulfilling its obligations.

“Hamas has responded to mediators to ensure a successful exchange, while the war criminal Netanyahu continues to delay prisoner releases,” stated Hamas spokesperson Abdulatif al Qanu. 

Of the 602 Palestinian prisoners slated for release, 445 were detained in Gaza after the October 7 attacks, including 24 women and children, who are to remain in the Strip. Others will be relocated: 97 to Egypt, 43 to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and 11 detained before the recent war will also move to Gaza. 

Among those traveling to Egypt is Nael Barghouti, a Palestinian who has spent the majority of his 67-year life in Israeli prisons.

Barghouti, initially incarcerated in 1978 for killing a bus driver, served 33 years before being released in the 2011 “Shalit deal,” where over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were freed in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Re-arrested three years later for Hamas affiliation, he was sentenced to 30 months. Barghouti accepted deportation this time, respecting other prisoners’ wishes to remain. 

Statement from the Israeli Ministry of Health

While the ceasefire holds, violence continues in Gaza. The local Ministry of Health reported 10 new deaths over the past two days due to Israeli military actions, raising the total to 48,329 since the October 2023 offensive began.

Seven bodies were recovered across the Strip, and three others died in hospitals or attacks. One victim, Hana al Ghouti, was reportedly shot by an Israeli tank near her home. 

The Quds media outlet, linked to Hamas, also reported a Palestinian youth killed by Israeli forces in Shujaiya, East Gaza City. Since the ceasefire took effect on January 19, over 40 Gazans have died in Israel military operations, often claimed to target suspected threats to troops. 

The ongoing delays in prisoner releases and continued fatalities underscore the fragility of the ceasefire. Hamas, Palestine, and Israel remain in a tense standoff, while international mediators work to prevent renewed escalation.