This is When Hamas is Set to Reveal Names of the Hostages to be Freed Tomorrow

Israel Awaits Announcement of Hostage Releases as Tensions Mount Over Gaza

The names are set to be revealed at 4 p.m., and among those awaiting news are the families of Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel (4) and Kfir (2). Their father, Yarden, was released just last Saturday, but concerns are growing over the safety of his family, especially after Hamas broke protocol by releasing other captives before mothers and children.

Since the ceasefire agreement was enacted, 13 Israelis have been released, out of the 33 originally agreed upon in the first phase. Additionally, five Thai hostages have been freed as part of a separate arrangement. However, inside Gaza, 76 hostages still remain, with their fates uncertain. Tragically, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed that at least 34 hostages have been killed.

Meanwhile, tensions are escalating over a new plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate Arabs from Gaza. Hamas, the Iranian-backed militant group responsible for many of the hostage takings, has called on Arab nations to reject the plan, labeling it a "displacement project." They urge Arab leaders to convene an emergency summit to oppose the plan, which they argue would replace one form of occupation with another.

In response, the White House has taken a more measured approach. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump’s plan focuses on temporarily relocating residents from Gaza due to the extensive damage in the region. However, she clarified that the U.S. would not have boots on the ground and would not fund the relocation effort. Instead, Trump aims to negotiate agreements with regional partners to address the issue.

As the international diplomatic situation continues to shift, Israel is preparing for the fifth round of hostages to be released on Saturday. There are still 20 people left on the list of those expected to be freed, although eight of them are no longer alive. Among those who may be freed are Shiri Bibas and her children, but experts believe it’s unlikely they will be part of this release, given the order in which captives are being freed. The agreement stipulates that women are to be released before men, and since several men have already been freed, it may take longer for the Bibas family to be released.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Hamas has hinted that Trump's plans for Gaza could impact the continuation of negotiations. While a low-level Israeli delegation is set to travel to Qatar to discuss the next stages of the ceasefire and hostage releases, there are concerns that the lack of high-level officials may hinder any significant progress. The Qatari government, which has played a key role in mediating talks, has shown little faith in this particular Israeli team’s ability to reach substantial agreements.

As Saturday's announcement looms, Israel and the world wait with bated breath, hoping for news of the next group of hostages to be freed, while tensions over Gaza and the political landscape continue to complicate the situation.