Why was the Bibas children not released first?

[MrsKwazi]

I know it was reported they were dead, then alive, anybody know why they have not been released first?

I’ll consult my glass bowl.

Yes I wondered this too...

Because the cruel men involved enjoy toying with peoples emotions.

I do hope those children are alive and released imminently.

I thought this and then read that they are expecting some of the released hostages to be dead - ie that their bodies would be returned. I am hoping otherwise but I would imagine this is the case for that family, and maybe for the younger men mentioned on the list. We'll know in a few weeks I suppose.

At this point nobody can tell you the answer to that for sure. We can make guesses from the available information, but that's all. What we do know is that the whole process involves a high level of psychological cruelty. People had to wait to know if their loved ones would be 'on the list', people know that not all of the people on the list are alive, people have to wait to see if their loved ones are 'next on the list', and then have to hope their loved one returns alive, while knowing that means other families will not get that news.

Because the hostages are being held by terrorists (and terrorist supporting innocent civilians)

They cannot miss any chance for cruelty

I hope these poor children are still alive

I suspect Because all Hamas care about is consolidating their power & being as cruel as they possibly can be. So firstly they'll want to release the hostages who are alive & in the best health to make themselves look good, while putting on that nice show of military swagger for their base. Given that they had 'technical issues' even finding the list of hostages there's a high chance they dont even know where people are.

Sadly I think it won't be good news. We know Sinwar liked his human shields and was keener on martyrdom for other Gazans than for himself. So I think if little Kfir been available for strapping to one of the leadership when the net started to close, he would've been.

Also practically speaking, Hamas were walking quite a delicate tightrope yesterday. It made the most sense for them to send back three living hostages in good condition.

I suspect because now they have another 7 days to try and get other hostages looking "healthier" before they are paraded infront of the world and Hamas can pretend like they've taken such good care of them over the last 15 months

Also I suspect they'll also be the last to be released from Phase 1 to ensure that the ceasefire lasts at least the 6 weeks. I'd imagine they aren't too concerned about handing back remains of hostages that's if they can even locate them or serving members / young men from the IDF so the ceasefire will collapse in 42 days

I wondered this too. It's horrific cruelty to keep those poor babies held. Hamas are vile and gleeful to engage in psychological torture as well as the physical.

I think the answer is that the mother and kids are dead.
sickening. I read they allegedly died in the bombing of Rafah. The truth may never be known.

Those poor children, didn’t realise there was a chance they may still be alive. Really hope if so they’re released soon.

Precisely.
All about optics and playing into the hands of sympathetic supporters.

They'll sneak the mass murderers out later.

Some online news sites are saying the 4 to be released on Saturday will be one female civilian and 3 female solider observers - which would be the 3 young girls taken from the military base?

If you look on X there is a huge amount of Hamas propaganda around what great condition the hostages released this week were in, how they were smiling etc. This is key to their narrative that they are great guys, freedom fighters etc.

Bodies will come later, if they come at all.

There are 5 women soldiers still there, so at least one of them will be staying longer.

Afaik there are just 2 female civilians remaining now. Arbel Yehud and Shiri. And I don't think the latter will be coming out just yet.

I do think bodies might happen sooner rather than later though. Hamas clearly aren't going to voluntarily return all live hostages, since that means giving up their best leverage. So I think we'll see more bodies come back maybe in a couple of weeks.

Sadly I think it is likely because they have been murdered. I hope I am wrong

It would be a miracle if they are alive. Hamas know their 'worth' full well and, depraved as they are, are keeping the world in suspense. If they aren't alive I can only hope those beautiful baby boys didn't suffer too much.

Given that the exchange is massively imbalanced, Hamas will release 3 or 4 adults in exchange for a large number of their people, until it becomes apparent that "high tarriff" prisoners are no longer available for exchange. They know this will lead Israel to retaliate so they can start all over again as victims.
I pray I'm wrong.

I think the formulae for group 2/3 is yet to be agreed hasn't it? Which includes serving IDF men / men of fighting age - at the moment it seems the majority of Gazans being released under the exchange are women and children under 18 who have been detained without trial/conviction since October 7th

Because their captors consider them to be valuable pawns, more valuable if alive, so they'll keep them as long as they can.

I'm concerned that they are already dead, and their captors are putting off the inevitable reveal as it's harder to spin than making a terrified hostage wave for the crowds before release.

That poor family.

Im sorry to say but I think that they are dead. Hamas don't want to reveal this because those poor kids are pawns that they don't want to let go of, and also it makes them look bad on the world stage. I hope I'm wrong.

Not that their supporters will care, they will cheer them on regardless and probably blame Israel for their deaths. Disgusting.

Looks like dad is on the list for the next set of releases. I still hope mum and toddlers are still alive. I know the chance of that is beyond slim :( so sad

Agree @MrsKwazi it's heartbreaking.