Hamas announces names of next four hostages to be released on Saturday

The Hamas militant group on Friday revealed the names of four hostages it claimed it would release the following day as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, which has brought a halt to the war in Gaza for at least six weeks.

There was no immediate confirmation from Israel regarding the names of the hostages. The hostages are set to be freed on Saturday in exchange for the release of 180 Palestinians imprisoned or detained by Israel.

Earlier on Friday, relatives of the hostages still being held by Hamas appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure the release of all remaining captives. They also called on US President Donald Trump to continue pushing for their release.

Israel estimates that approximately a third, or potentially as many as half, of the more than 90 hostages still in Gaza have died.

Hamas has not provided definitive numbers on the captives still alive or the names of those who have died, but it is expected to release further information about the remaining 26 hostages expected to be released in the upcoming weeks.

Under the first phase of the ceasefire deal, a total of 33 hostages are expected to be released gradually in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, with additional humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

In the Palestinian enclave, civilians in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip, hoping to return to the remnants of their homes in the heavily damaged north, face an agonising wait.

Israel’s war against Hamas has claimed the lives of more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.

The conflict was triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people.