Israeli authorities said that Hamas will release 13 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip on Saturday while Israeli officials will free 42 Palestinian prisoners held inside Israeli prisons. The four-day truce deal, which began on Friday and will oversee the release of hostages held by the Palestinian group in exchange of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, entered its second day on Saturday. The Israeli prison authorities said that they are freeing 42 prisoners — both male and female – as part of the agreement. The agreement mandates exchanges at a ratio of three to one, and an Israeli official familiar with the developments said 14 hostages would be handed over.
Quick Read
- Diplomatic Efforts to Resolve Delays: There is a concerted diplomatic effort involving Qatar, the United States, and Egypt to address issues delaying the exchange of hostages for prisoners.
- Role of Qatar: Qatar is playing a crucial role in mediating discussions related to the current truce and hostage deal. The nation is actively involved in trying to resolve the impasse.
- Ongoing Discussions: Both Israel and Hamas are engaged in ongoing discussions with Qatari officials to expedite the resolution of the delays.
- US Involvement: The United States is also working closely with Qatar, Egypt, and Israel to facilitate the implementation of the hostage-prisoner exchange deal.
- Stalled Agreement Over Disputes: The agreement is currently stalled due to disputes related to aid for Gaza and the status of prisoners held by Israel.
- Shortage of Aid Trucks: According to Hamas, northern Gaza has received less than half the number of aid trucks expected under the truce deal with Israel. As of the evening local time on Saturday, only 65 aid trucks had reached the northern part of the Gaza Strip, out of an anticipated 340.
- Hamas’ Commitment to the Agreement: Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan, speaking in Beirut, stated that Hamas remains committed to the agreement, provided Israel also commits to its implementation.
- Concerns Over Agreement Implementation: Hamdan raised concerns about Israel’s handling of the agreement, specifically accusing it of manipulating the names and criteria for releasing women and child prisoners. This, he claimed, is endangering the agreement.
The Associated Press has the story:
Red Cross moves to receive 13 Israeli hostages and 7 other nationals
Newslooks- (AP)
There’s a diplomatic scramble to try to resolve issues delaying the exchange of hostages for prisoners on the second day of the humanitarian pause.
Qatar, along with the US and Egypt, is pushing to get the hostage release deal sorted out, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Both Israel and Hamas are in ongoing discussions with Qatari officials to resolve the delays as soon as possible, the source said.
The US is working with Qatar, Egypt and Israel on implementation of the deal, a senior US administration official says.
Qatar has played a pivotal role as mediator in discussions involving the current truce and hostage deal, which is stalled today over disputes surrounding aid for Gaza and prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas says “less than half” of the expected aid trucks have entered northern Gaza
Northern Gaza has so far received fewer than half of the number of aid trucks that should have come through under the truce deal with Israel, Hamas said Saturday evening local time, thus “endangering” the agreement on an exchange of hostages for prisoners.
Speaking at a news conference in Beirut, Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan said the group remains committed to the agreement if Israel “commits to implementing it.”
“The total number of aid trucks that have reached (Gaza) yesterday and today is 340 aid trucks. Only 65 trucks have reached the northern part of the strip, which is less than half of what was agreed on,” Hamdan said.
Hamdan also accused Israel of “manipulating the names and criteria of releasing women and child prisoners, endangering the agreement.”
Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, had earlier announced the group is delaying the handover of hostages on the second day of the truce.
