GAZA CITY: Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, has announced a delay in the release of a second group of Israeli hostages, citing Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas stated on Saturday evening that the release would be postponed until Israel adheres to the terms of the temporary truce, particularly regarding the entry of relief supplies into the northern Gaza Strip.
Taher al-Nunu, adviser to the head of Hamas’s political bureau, expressed concerns about various violations of the agreement by Israel. Al-Nunu stated that the postponement is contingent on Israel’s commitment to providing aid to the northern Gaza Strip. Furthermore, the selection criteria for the release of Palestinian prisoners was also the issue in question.
He accused Israel of failing to adhere to agreed-upon standards for releasing detainees. He further mentioned instances of Israeli soldiers opening fire in several locations in the besieged Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of two Palestinian civilians.
Earlier on Friday, Hamas released 13 Israeli hostages, along with 10 Thai citizens and one Filipino, who were taken by the group on October 7. In response, Israel released 39 Palestinian detainees, from Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank.
Meanwhile, Egypt has indicated positive signals from all parties regarding a possible extension of the Gaza truce. Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), stated that extensive talks are ongoing to reach an agreement, potentially extending the four-day truce by one or two days. The extension is seen as a crucial step towards releasing more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Hostage-Prisoner Releases After Hamas-Israel Ceasefire Agreement
Meanwhile, regarding today’s anticipated release of Palestinian prisoners, a total of 42 Palestinians, including 18 women and 24 children, are expected to be released from Israeli jails. The release process will take place via Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
Additionally, 14 hostages held in Gaza are slated for release through a process facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The exact timing of the releases, however, remains unclear.
The truce has allowed for a series of hostage-prisoner exchanges between Hamas and Israel, marking a step towards easing tensions in the region.
Israeli prison authorities have confirmed that 42 Palestinian inmates are to be freed under the terms of the agreement, with an exchange ratio of three to one. In response, Hamas is expected to release a total of 50 hostages during the truce, as part of a broader agreement involving talks with Israel, Palestinian groups, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
The first exchange, which took place on the first day of the truce, saw the release of 24 hostages by Hamas. Among them were 13 Israelis, along with ten Thais and one Filipino who were unexpectedly freed. The releases have brought both relief and joy to families who had feared the worst for their loved ones. Israel, in turn, has freed 39 innocent Palestinian women and children from its prisons.
