Posted on 11/29/23
| News Source: Arutz-7
Israel is preparing to welcome back the sixth wave of hostages from Gaza: 12 hostages are expected to be released this evening (Wednesday) from Hamas captivity and to be handed over to the Red Cross and later arrive in Israeli territory.
Hamas claims it released two hostages who hold Russian citizenship, but as of reporting, they were not handed over to the Red Cross. They join the ten additional Israeli hostages whose names were given to Israel overnight and whose families were notified of their return.
In the meantime, no further agreements have been reached regarding additional days of the ceasefire in return for the release of hostages, but the Qatari Foreign Ministry told CNN that his government is "very optimistic" regarding the extension of the pause. According to him, an announcement on the matter can come within hours.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hamas claimed that three of the four members of the Bibas family, who were kidnapped on October 7, are dead.
According to Hamas, 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel were killed in an Israeli airstrike along with their mother, Shiri. If the terrorist organization is to be believed, the only surviving member of the family is Yarden Bibas, the boys' father and Shiri's husband.
The IDF spokesperson said in response to Hamas' claims: "During the Hamas massacre of October 7, the Bibas family, including 10-month-old Kfir Bibas, his 4-year-old brother Ariel Bibas, and their mother Shiri Bibas — were kidnapped alive into Gaza."
"The barbarism and cruelty of Hamas is on full display to the world. IDF representatives spoke with the Bibas family following the recent reports and are with them at this difficult time. The IDF is assessing the accuracy of the information.
"Hamas is wholly responsible for the security of all hostages in the Gaza Strip. Hamas must be held accountable. Hamas’ actions continue to endanger the hostages, which include nine children. Hamas must immediately release our hostages.
"The IDF, along with other security agencies, will continue to accompany the Bibas family, as well as all families of the hostages and missing persons," the IDF statement concluded.