Hamas announces names of six captives scheduled for release

The group announced on Friday that it intends to release Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem-Tov, Omer Wenkert, Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu, and Hisham al-Sayed.

In a strategic prisoner exchange, over 600 Palestinian detainees are scheduled for release in exchange for Israeli captives, signaling a significant development in the ongoing negotiations.

In a recent announcement, the Palestinian Prisoners Information Office revealed that the imminent development would signify the seventh phase within the initial round of the exchange process.

In an upcoming release, 50 Palestinian prisoners, each serving life sentences, along with 60 others who have been serving long-term prison terms, are set to be freed.

Furthermore, 47 of the detainees had earlier been released as part of the 2011 “Wafa al-Ahrar” prisoner exchange agreement, which included the freeing of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, only to be subsequently re-arrested by Israeli authorities.

A total of 445 Palestinian detainees, originating from the Gaza Strip, have been taken into custody in the aftermath of the commencement of Israeli military operations.

Netanyahu Criticized for Public Relations Move Regarding Shiri Bibas’s Remains

In a recent development, the Israeli military announced that one of the four bodies transferred by Hamas on Thursday, as part of a continuing prisoner exchange, does not belong to Zionist captive Shiri Bibas. This exchange process remains ongoing between Israel and Hamas.

On Friday, the military issued allegations following the transfer of four bodies by the Gaza Strip-based resistance movement to the regime, an action that took place the day prior.

The group asserted that the remains attributed to Shiri were “anonymous” and called for the return of what it described as “the correct body.”

In a formal statement, Hamas dismissed the allegations and condemned the associated threats from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, characterizing them as a public relations maneuver.

The movement reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the conditions of the exchange agreement, emphasizing that it harbors no desire to retain any bodies.

Hamas has announced that it is conducting an investigation following reports from mediators regarding Israeli assertions. According to the group, the body in question was intermingled with other human remains as a result of a fatal Israeli airstrike.

Hamas has reported that the body of Shiri Bibas was “disintegrated after seemingly being commingled with other remains beneath the debris,” while criticizing Israel for the attack that resulted in the death of Bibas and her two young sons.

The organization has urged Tel Aviv to repatriate the remains of a Palestinian woman it alleges were killed in Israeli airstrikes.

According to analysts, Hamas has reiterated its commitment to adhering to its responsibilities within the exchange process. However, recent allegations from the regime could pose significant challenges to the intricate ongoing negotiations.

Mediators overseeing the execution of the agreement anticipate receiving findings from Hamas’ internal investigation regarding the so-called body mix-up in the near future.

Shiri Bibas was among 240 individuals captured by Gaza’s resistance groups during a bold operation on October 7, 2023. This operation was aimed at the territories occupied by Palestinians, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.

In response to the military operation, authorities initiated an extensive campaign over Gaza that persisted for over 15 months. This campaign resulted in the deaths of more than 48,300 Palestinians. These numbers include casualties from ongoing Israeli actions that have breached a ceasefire agreement established in January, which was anticipated to bring an end to the prolonged conflict.

The al-Qassam Brigades, the armed faction of Hamas, has in the past distributed video clips featuring Israeli detainees who state that their family members in Gaza were killed by Israeli military operations. The captives allege these incidents occurred amid widespread bombings in the region during the ongoing conflict.