Netanyahu’s office confirms Israel to receive 4 hostages’ bodies Thursday, 6 living hostages Saturday; families of living hostages updated

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

A rally marking 500 days since hostages were kidnapped by Hamas-led terrorists to the Gaza Strip, at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, February 17, 2025. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
A rally marking 500 days since hostages were kidnapped by Hamas-led terrorists to the Gaza Strip, at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, February 17, 2025. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

Israel confirms in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office that the remaining six living hostages slated to be released in phase one of the deal with Hamas will go free on Saturday.

According to the statement, the release of six hostages is the result of ongoing talks in Cairo.

“If the agreement in Cairo is carried out, it will be an important achievement for Israel,” says an Israeli official.

The PMO also says that four slain hostages will be released on Thursday, but does not name them.

The families of the living hostages have been updated, The Times of Israel has learned.

Hamas is required by the agreement with Israel to release four more bodies of hostages next week, says Netanyahu’s office.

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