A Palestinian official familiar with the diplomatic efforts confirmed that Hamas intends to adhere to the agreement with Israel regarding a four-day ceasefire, which is the first break in hostilities in the Gaza Strip since October 7, according to what Reuters reported.
Qatari said, “After the postponement, the obstacles to the release of the prisoners were overcome thanks to the Qatari-Egyptian contacts with both sides. Today, 39 Palestinian civilians will be released, while 13 Israeli hostages will leave the Gaza Strip, along with seven foreigners.” The Foreign Ministry spokesman announced.
According to him, among the liberated Israelis were eight children and five women. Media reported earlier that in return, 39 Palestinians would be released from Israeli prisons.
The Israeli army spokesman’s office confirmed that 13 Israeli citizens released by Hamas in the Gaza Strip are now under the care of the Red Cross and are on their way to Egypt. The Times of Israel reported that they would be transferred from there to Israel.
The Israeli army: great progress in freeing the hostages
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that “significant progress” had been made in efforts to free the hostages after a delay. But he warned that “nothing is final until it happens.”
The Times of Israel quoted him as saying: “We will get the hostages back one way or another: through an agreement or later stages of the war. If the agreement is not implemented, we will return to fighting.”
The military wing of Hamas announced earlier Saturday that it was postponing the release of the second group of hostages because it said Israel had failed to respect its agreement by preventing humanitarian aid trucks from entering the northern Gaza Strip and sending drones over the southern part of the Strip. province. Israel denied this.
The Times of Israel reported, citing an anonymous source, that US President Joe Biden spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Sani, asking for help in releasing the hostages.
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