Israel-Hamas: handover of hostages delayed

2023-11-25 19:27:01

The truce, which began Friday between Hamas and Israel, has already allowed the release of 24 hostages and 39 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange should continue this Saturday, but Hamas sets its conditions.

Au second day of the truce between the Islamist movement Hamas and Israel, which offers a fragile respite to the inhabitants of Gaza after seven weeks of warthe handing over of hostages held by Hamas is at the heart of the negotiations between the two camps.

Around twenty hostages, including 13 Israeli nationals, should be released on Saturday in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners, the spokesperson for the Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated early in the evening, in accordance with the agreement which allowed the release 24 hostages on Friday.

On the Hamas side, we discussed a delay in the release of the second group of hostages until Israel “respects the agreement” which entered into force the day before, namely “the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into the north of the Gaza Strip” and respect for the “selection criteria” for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

The Palestinian Islamist movement finally announced that it would release the hostages supposed to leave Gaza before midnight, and this after having obtained sufficient guarantees from the Israeli authorities.

Friday, the first hostages were released by Hamas, while the ceasefire seemed to be respected. A two-minute video released by Hamas showed masked fighters, armed with rifles, wearing military fatigues and the green headband of the movement’s armed wing handing over the hostages. International Red Cross.

These first 24 hostages (13 Israelis, ten Thais and one Filipino) then arrived in Israel via Egypt. Israel, for its part, released 39 Palestinians detained in its prisons.

In the coming days, we expect dozens of hostages to be reunited with their families.

Joe Biden

President of the United States

Other releases expected

“It’s just the beginning, but so far it’s going well,” the US president said on Friday. Joe Bidenadding thatthere are “real chances” of extending the truce. “In the coming days, we expect dozens of hostages to be reunited with their families,” he said.

“There are approximately 215 hostages remaining in Gaza”, said Israeli army spokesman Doron Spielman. “We don’t know, in many cases, whether they are dead or alive,” he added.