On February 22, 2025, Hamas released the last six living Israeli hostages as part of the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. This development brings the total number of hostages freed to 33 over the past six weeks. In exchange, Israel has released over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals convicted of terrorism. Despite this progress, the future of the ceasefire and subsequent negotiations remains uncertain.
The recent release included Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who had been held in Gaza since crossing the border in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Their return marks a significant moment, as both individuals had been detained for nearly a decade. The other four hostages released were Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem-Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Tal Shoham, all of whom were abducted during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
While the release of these hostages has been met with relief, the ceasefire’s future is in jeopardy. Israel has delayed the release of over 600 additional Palestinian prisoners, citing concerns over the “humiliating” nature of the hostage handover process. This postponement has disrupted the terms of the ceasefire deal and intensified military operations in the West Bank. The Israeli military has moved tanks into the region, further escalating tensions.
The initial agreement, brokered by international partners including the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, outlined a three-phase plan. The first phase, now concluded, involved the exchange of hostages and prisoners. The second phase aims to release the remaining 65 hostages in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Negotiations for this phase are set to begin soon, but the recent delays and escalations cast doubt on their success.
The third phase envisions the return of the bodies of hostages in exchange for a Gaza reconstruction plan spanning three to five years, supervised by international entities. However, the full scope of this plan, including governance of the territory, remains undetermined. Israel insists that Hamas should not be involved in a post-war Gaza, opposing the involvement of the Palestinian Authority as well.
As the situation develops, families of the remaining hostages and the international community await clarity on the next steps. The delicate balance between securing the release of captives and addressing security concerns continues to challenge both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
