Israel confirmed Friday that it released 39 Palestinian prisoners in line with a truce deal that saw 13 Israeli hostages freed by militants in Gaza hours earlier.
Quick Read
- Israel’s Confirmation of Prisoner Release: Israel has confirmed the release of 39 Palestinian prisoners, aligning with the terms of the truce deal with Hamas.
- Details on Palestinian Prisoners’ Release: According to Qadura Fares, an advocate for prisoners, 33 of the freed prisoners in the West Bank were handed to a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross, while six others were released from a Jerusalem facility.
- Netanyahu’s Commitment: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the release of the 13 Israeli hostages by Hamas but stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring the return of all hostages taken during the Oct. 7 raid. Approximately 240 people were taken in this attack.
- Military Stance Post-Cease-Fire: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, Daniel Hagari, indicated that the IDF plans to continue active military operations against Hamas after the cease-fire, focusing on demolishing tunnels and other military assets.
- Restriction on Civilian Movement in Gaza: The IDF has declared that it will not allow civilians in Gaza to return to their homes in the northern part of the Strip, which has been a significant focus of the Israeli military’s operations.
- Casualties and Warnings: Despite the cease-fire, there were reports of Israeli troops fatally shooting two Palestinians and wounding 11 others in northern Gaza, underlining the continuing tensions and dangers in the region.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israel releases 39 Palestinian Prisoners. Netanyahu: Committed to release all hostages
Newslooks- TEL AVIV (AP)
Israel confirmed Friday that it released 39 Palestinian prisoners in line with a truce deal that saw 13 Israeli hostages freed by militants in Gaza hours earlier.
Qadura Fares, who heads an advocacy group for prisoners, said 33 prisoners freed in the West Bank were handed to a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross. He said the remaining six were being freed from a Jerusalem lockup.
The releases on both sides were part of a deal for a four-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war that began Friday.
Over the next four days, 150 Palestinian prisoners and 50 Israeli hostages are to be freed.
NETANYAHU: COMMITTED TO RELEASE OF ALL HOSTAGES
TEL AVIV — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday welcomed the release of hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7 raid into Israel, including 13 Israeli citizens, but said his government is committed to the return of all hostages.
About 240 people were taken in the attack.
He said getting back all the hostages “is one of the goals of the war and we are committed to achieving all of the goals of the war.”
The Israeli military has “gotten to the heart” of Hamas’ military assets and plans to continue active fighting once a cease-fire ends, a spokesman said Friday.
“There are still many goals and many tunnels to demolish, including some we have destroyed even this morning right before the ceasefire began,” Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters.
Hagari spoke on the first day of a cease-fire that included an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The halt is scheduled expire on Monday unless additional Israeli hostages are released.
Hagari said the IDF would not allow Gazan civilians to return to their homes in the northern part of the Strip.
Israeli troops fatally shot two Palestinians and wounded 11 others on Friday as they headed toward the main combat zone in northern Gaza despite warnings by the Israeli army to stay put.
MILITARY SPOKESMAN: ‘MANY TUNNELS TO DEMOLISH’ AFTER CEASE-FIRE ENDS
TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has “gotten to the heart” of Hamas’ military assets and plans to continue active fighting once a cease-fire ends, a spokesman said Friday.
“There are still many goals and many tunnels to demolish, including some we have destroyed even this morning right before the ceasefire began,” Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters.
Hagari spoke on the first day of a cease-fire that included an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The halt is scheduled expire on Monday unless additional Israeli hostages are released.
Hagari said the IDF would not allow Gazan civilians to return to their homes in the northern part of the Strip.
Israeli troops fatally shot two Palestinians and wounded 11 others on Friday as they headed toward the main combat zone in northern Gaza despite warnings by the Israeli army to stay put.
