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Israel was awaiting the names of the next three hostages set for release on Saturday as part of the first phase of the cease-fire in Gaza and hostage deal, officials said Friday.
A lower-level Israeli delegation is expected to travel to Qatar to continue talks with mediators on finalizing the current phase, while sources said there is an understanding with the U.S. that negotiations for the next phase must move forward.
Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to remove Palestinians from Gaza during its reconstruction, an Israeli source expressed concern that Hamas may halt the release of hostages.
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Israel has urged mediators to prioritize the release of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, whom Hamas claimed were killed in November 2023—a claim Israel says is unverified. Yarden Bibas was freed last week, but the fate of his family remains unknown.
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Officials traveling with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his U.S. visit said he is interested in extending the first phase of the hostage deal, which would see 33 captives released.
However, Netanyahu insists that in the next phase, Gaza must be demilitarized, all remaining hostages—including the deceased—must be returned, and Hamas leaders must be exiled. He also maintains that Hamas should have no role in rebuilding Gaza.