A Palestinian official familiar with the diplomatic efforts confirmed that Hamas intends to stick to a four-day ceasefire with Israel, the first ceasefire in the Gaza Strip since October 7, Reuters reported.
“After a delay, Qatari-Egyptian contacts with both sides have overcome obstacles to release the prisoners, and 39 Palestinian civilians will be released today, while 13 Israeli hostages will leave the Gaza Strip along with seven foreigners,” a Qatari said. A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs announced.
According to him, the freed Israelis included eight children and five women. The media had earlier reported that 39 Palestinians would be released from Israeli prisons in return.
Thirteen Israeli citizens freed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip are now under Red Cross protection on their way to Egypt, the Israeli Defense Forces spokesman’s office confirmed. From there they will be taken to Israel, the Times of Israel reported.
Israeli Army: Significant progress in freeing hostages
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said there had been “significant progress” in efforts to free the hostages after delays. However, he cautioned, “Nothing is final until it happens.”
“We will rescue the hostages in one way or another: through an agreement or subsequent phases of the war. If the agreement is not implemented, we will return to fighting,” he said, as quoted by The Times of Israel.
Hamas’ armed wing announced earlier Saturday that it was delaying the release of a second group of hostages after Israel failed to honor its agreement by blocking humanitarian aid trucks from entering the northern Gaza Strip and sending drones to the south. A part of the territory. Israel denied it.
US President Joe Biden has reached out to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for help in freeing the hostages, the Times of Israel reported, citing an anonymous source.
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