The Palestinian group Hamas freed six more Israeli hostages. Hamas released the Israeli hostage Saturday afternoon through the International Red Cross. Hamas handed over Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed, Omer Sem Tov, Elia Cohen, Omar Wenkert and Tal Soam to the Red Cross representative in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the BBC reported.

Mengistu, 38, and al-Sayed, 37, were arrested after entering Gaza in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Israel said they both had mental health issues. Tove, 22, Cohen, 27, and Wenkert, 23, were taken hostage on October 7, 2023. Soam, 40, was abducted from Kibbutz Beiri. 

The hostages have been released for the seventh time since the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel came into force about a month ago. Earlier, Hamas handed over the bodies of 4 Israeli hostages last Thursday. But the family said that the body that was sent as that of Siri Vibas was not his. Soon after, Hamas handed over the body of Wibas on Friday.

Although Hamas freed six hostages, Israel delayed the release of 622 Palestinian prisoners, according to the BBC. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will not release Palestinian prisoners until Hamas releases the next round of hostages. He accuses Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement. 

Of the prisoners who were supposed to be released, 50 were sentenced to life imprisonment. 60 people are serving long prison terms. Others have been detained without charge since October 7.

During this period, Hamas released 33 hostages and handed over the bodies. In return, Israel has released about 1900 Palestinian prisoners. According to international media, there are still 61 hostages under the control of the Palestinian group Hamas. One of them is Nepali youth Bipin Joshi. Joshi from Kanchanpur went to Israel to study agriculture under the 'Learn and Earn' program. 

Mediators plan to begin a second round of negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages. According to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, less than half of the rest are alive. 

After 15 months of war, the cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel came into effect on January 19. In the first phase of a three-phase ceasefire, Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages and in exchange for Israel to release 1,900 Palestinians.

In the second phase of the ceasefire, it was agreed to release the remaining hostages and hand over the bodies of the dead. In addition, the agreement mentions the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third phase covers the reconstruction of Gaza. 

Hamas said last week it would stop the release of hostages, citing Israel's violation of the terms of the ceasefire. According to the ceasefire agreement, Israel did not allow the displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, opened fire on the locals and did not allow the distribution of humanitarian aid as agreed, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeyda alleged.

In response to Hamas' accusations, Israel also warned that the ceasefire would end if the hostages were not released by Saturday. After that, Israeli forces were ordered to deploy in and around Gaza. Similarly, US President Donald Trump also warned that if the hostages are not released according to the agreement, he will end the ceasefire and eliminate Hamas.