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Thursday

Freed Palestinian prisoners react as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip on Thursday.

Freed Palestinian prisoners react as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, on Thursday. Jehad Alshrafi/AP hide caption

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Jehad Alshrafi/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas returns bodies of four hostages and Israel releases hundreds of Palestinians

Both sides agreed there would be no Hamas ceremonies for the hostage bodies and in exchange Israel would release the Palestinian detainees and prisoners whose freedom had been held up since Saturday.

Hamas hands over bodies of four hostages as Israel frees Palestinian prisoners

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Wednesday

Mourners gather around the convoy carrying the coffins of slain hostages Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, during their funeral procession in Rishon Lezion, Israel on Wednesday.

Mourners gather around the convoy carrying the coffins of slain hostages Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, during their funeral procession in Rishon Lezion, Israel on Wednesday. Ariel Schalit/AP hide caption

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Ariel Schalit/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

Israelis hold a funeral procession for Shiri Bibas and her two sons killed in Gaza

Crowds gathered in Israel for the funeral procession of the Bibas family, a mother and two young sons killed while being held hostage in Gaza. The story of their killing has enraged Israelis, and Israeli government representatives were not invited to the funeral.

Israelis hold a funeral procession for Shiri Bibas and her two sons killed in Gaza

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People line the street to watch the funeral procession carrying the caskets of Shiri Bibas, Kfir Bibas and Ariel Bibas with family in minibuses pass by on Feb. 26, 2025 in Rishon LeZion, Israel.

People line the street to watch the funeral procession carrying the caskets of Shiri Bibas, Kfir Bibas and Ariel Bibas with family in minibuses pass by on Feb. 26, 2025 in Rishon LeZion, Israel. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images hide caption

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Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas hands over bodies of hostages as Israel frees Palestinian prisoners

The bodies of four Israeli hostages are to be returned late Wednesday and more than 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees freed during the last week of the current Gaza ceasefire deal.

Friday

A poster shows Shiri Bibas, center, who was kidnapped to Gaza with her husband and two young sons on Oct. 7, 2023, in Jerusalem on Friday.

A poster shows Shiri Bibas, center, who was kidnapped to Gaza with her husband and two young sons on Oct. 7, 2023, in Jerusalem on Friday. Mahmoud Illean/AP hide caption

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Mahmoud Illean/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

Israel says body returned by Hamas not that of hostage

Israel identified the remains of child hostages but said another body from Hamas was not their mother as claimed. And near Tel Aviv, explosions hit threes buses, but no injuries were reported.

Thursday

Palestinians gather as Hamas fighters deploy ahead of handing over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, who had long been feared dead, to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on Thursday.

Palestinians gather as Hamas fighters deploy ahead of handing over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, who had long been feared dead, to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on Thursday. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP hide caption

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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas releases the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including mother and young sons

Today's release is the first time Hamas has handed over the bodies of hostages during the war, although several have been recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza and returned to Israel.

Hamas releases the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including mother and young sons

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Tuesday

A man walks past a billboard bearing the portraits of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas-led militants, in Jerusalem on Monday, as the country marked the 500th day since their abduction.

A man walks past a billboard bearing the portraits of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas-led militants, in Jerusalem on Monday, as the country marked the 500th day since their abduction. AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas to hand over 4 Israeli hostages' bodies Thursday and 6 living hostages Saturday

Hamas says it has agreed to Israel's request to speed up release of Israeli hostages, including two men held around a decade. The bodies of members of a young family are among those it will hand over.

HAMAS HOSTAGE RELEASES

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Monday

Released hostage Ilana Gritzewsky, holds a photo of her boyfriend Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker still held in Gaza, in another hand she holds up a flare next to the photos of Israeli female hostage on May 25, 2024.

Released hostage Ilana Gritzewsky holds a photo of her boyfriend, Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, still held in Gaza. In her other hand, she holds a flare next to photos of other hostages, May 25, 2024. Matan Golan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption

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Matan Golan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

'No greater commandment': How Israelis view hostage-prisoner swaps

Even for Israelis who support the ceasefire with Hamas, it's been hard to watch Palestinians convicted of involvement in mass shootings and suicide bombings walk free.

‘No greater commandment’: How Israelis view hostage-prisoner swaps

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Friday

Israeli hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Alexander "Sasha" Trupanov and Yair Horn were named by Hamas Friday to be released the following day.

Israeli hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Alexander "Sasha" Trupanov and Yair Horn were named by Hamas Friday to be released the following day. Hostages and Missing Families Forum hide caption

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Hostages and Missing Families Forum

Middle East crisis — explained

The next Israeli hostages Hamas will release include U.S. and Russian nationals

Hamas says it will release three hostages on Saturday, resolving a dispute with Israel that threatened to derail the ceasefire. In exchange, Israel will free dozens of Palestinians from jail.

Monday

Released hostage Ohad Ben Ami draped in an Israeli flag arrives at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center - Ichilov Hospital by helicopter, on Feb. 8, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Released hostage Ohad Ben Ami draped in an Israeli flag arrives at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center - Ichilov Hospital by helicopter, on Feb. 8, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images hide caption

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Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas delays the next hostage release, trading blame with Israel for breaking the deal

Hamas is delaying the release of the next group of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of preventing aid and Palestinians from returning home in Gaza. Israel said Hamas is violating the ceasefire.

Saturday

Monday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes statements at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday, ahead of his visit to Washington, D.C., where he will meet with President Trump this week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes statements at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday, ahead of his visit to Washington, D.C., where he will meet with President Trump this week. Avi Ohayon (GPO)/Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption

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Avi Ohayon (GPO)/Anadolu via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Trump has a deal for Netanyahu when they meet Tuesday. Will he take it?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be the first foreign leader to visit the White House since President Trump's return to office, in a crucial meeting for the future of the Middle East.

Trump has a deal for Netanyahu when they meet Tuesday. Will he take it?

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Saturday

American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, 65, is escorted by Hamas fighters as he is handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City, Saturday Feb.1, 2025.

American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, 65, is escorted by Hamas fighters as he is handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City, Saturday Feb.1, 2025. Mohammed Hajjar/AP hide caption

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Mohammed Hajjar/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

A U.S. dual citizen is among 3 Israeli hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners

Siegel is the first American to be released as part of this deal. A total of 18 hostages have been released since the ceasefire took effect. Hundreds of Palestinians have been released so far.

Hostage Prisoner Exchange

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Thursday

Vehicles with the International Committee of the Red Cross arrive, while Palestinian militants and civilians stand by, for the release of Israeli hostage Agam Berger in Jabalia, Gaza Strip, Thursday.

Vehicles with the International Committee of the Red Cross arrive, while Palestinian militants and civilians stand by, for the release of Israeli hostage Agam Berger in Jabalia, Gaza Strip, Thursday. Anas Baba/NPR hide caption

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Anas Baba/NPR

Middle East crisis — explained

3 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages are freed in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners

Three more Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released by Palestinian militants from captivity and returned to Israel, after being held for more than 15 months in Gaza.

Friday

Hamas has named the next 4 hostages it will release as part of ceasefire with Israel

From left: Liri Albag, 19; Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; and Naama Levy, 20, are the hostages identified by Hamas to be released next from captivity in Gaza. Hostages and Missing Families Forum hide caption

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Hostages and Missing Families Forum

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas has named the next 4 hostages it will release as part of ceasefire with Israel

All four hostages are female Israeli soldiers. They are expected to be released Saturday in accordance with a ceasefire agreement with Israel that's halted fighting in the Gaza war since last weekend.

Sunday