Hamas frees six Israeli hostages as Gaza ceasefire nears end

Hamas has released the final six hostages as part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, bringing the total number of freed hostages to 25. The last hostage, believed to be Hisham Al-Sayed, was released separately without a formal ceremony. The handover involved five other hostages, who were presented at staged ceremonies amid a crowd in Gaza, a practice criticized by Israel and the Red Cross. Families of the hostages expressed relief and joy at their return after enduring years of uncertainty and suffering. Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing for the next phase of the ceasefire, which aims to secure a long-term peace and further releases. Despite the progress, the situation remains fragile, with reports of limited advancements in discussions for the second stage of the agreement.