In a significant development amid ongoing conflict, the Israeli government has identified 33 hostages scheduled for release as part of the first phase of a ceasefire that commenced on Sunday morning. The announcement was made via a post on the official Israel X account, managed by the foreign ministry, which featured a graphic displaying the names and photos of the hostages.
Overview of the Hostages
Among the 33 hostages, 31 were abducted from Israel on October 7, 2023, during a large-scale attack by Hamas. The remaining two hostages have been held since 2014 and 2015, respectively. The fate of many of the listed individuals remains uncertain, as it is unclear how many are still alive.
Notably, the list includes the two youngest hostages held by Hamas: Kfir Bibas, who is just two years old, and Ariel Bibas, aged five. Their potential release has drawn significant attention and concern.
Two Israeli-Americans, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Keith Siegel, are also among those set to be released, both presumed to be alive. However, Edan Alexander, another Israeli-American who is a soldier, was not included in this release list. It is worth noting that four Israeli-Americans, confirmed to be deceased, are also absent from the list.
List of Hostages Scheduled for Release
The following individuals are slated for release:
- Liri Albag
- Itzhik Elgarat
- Karina Ariev
- Ohad Ben-Ami
- Ariel Bibas
- Yarden Bibas
- Kfir Bibas
- Shiri Silberman Bibas
- Agam Berger
- Romi Gonen
- Danielle Gilboa
- Emily Damari
- Sagui Dekel-Chen
- Yair Horn
- Omer Wenkert
- Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov
- Arbel Yehud
- Ohad Yahalomi
- Eliya Cohen
- Or Levy
- Naama Levy
- Oded Lifshitz
- Gadi Moshe Moses
- Avera Mengistu (held since 2014)
- Shlomo Mansur
- Keith Siegel
- Tsahi Idan
- Ofer Calderon
- Tal Shoham
- Doron Steinbrecher
- Omer Shem-Tov
- Hisham Al Sayed (held since 2015)
- Eli Sharabi
Conclusion
The release of these hostages marks a critical moment in the ongoing crisis, offering a glimmer of hope for the families and communities affected by the conflict. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on the safe return of all hostages and the restoration of peace in the region. The situation underscores the complex humanitarian landscape that has developed as a result of the hostilities, and the international community watches closely as developments unfold.