The ceasefire is holding and the hostage release continues in Gaza. Hamas said on Monday it
would next release hostages held in Gaza on Saturday, after an official with the Palestinian
militant group had said they would be released a day later than expected.
Hamas is set to release the more than 90 hostages over the coming weeks as part of a
complex ceasefire deal reached with Israel this month that could end the 15-month war in
Gaza.
The militant group said in a statement that the next group of hostages would be released on
Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees who are held by Israel.
Earlier, Nahed Al-Fakhouri, head of the Hamas prisoners’ media office, had said the hostages
would be released on Sunday. Hamas had been expected to release four Israeli hostages on
Saturday, seven days after the ceasefire came into effect.
A senior Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reacted to Al-Fakhouri’s
statement by telling Reuters the deadline for the hostages to be released was Saturday.
This month, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-phase ceasefire that could bring an end to the
15-month war in Gaza. The ceasefire came into effect on Sunday with Hamas releasing three
Israeli hostages. Israel also released Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The ceasefire accord outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual
withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and release of hostages taken by Hamas in
exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Gaza remains in global focus with the
hostage release being the most keenly tracked issue for most people.
Team BharatShakti
(With Inputs from Reuters)
