Portraits of hostages. Photo: Jack Guez / AFP
On Friday, Hamas released the names of four hostages who are scheduled to be released on Saturday via its Telegram channel. At the same time, it is reported that these names do not match those previously agreed upon, which necessitated additional negotiations between the Israeli Prime Minister and the negotiating team, The Jerusalem Post reports.
According to the agreement, in order to release the four hostages, Hamas agreed to an exchange that provides for:
- The release of three Israeli soldiers and one civilian.
- Providing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
- Withdrawal of Israeli troops from some areas of Gaza.
Hostage status and new conditions
Under the first phase of the agreement, 33 hostages are to be released. Hamas also pledged to hand over to Israel a list with the status of the remaining 26 hostages scheduled for release. For the first time, Israel will receive official information about the fate of the Bibas family: parents Shiri and Yarden and their children Ariel and Kfir.
Israel has warned that it will put pressure on Hamas if there are attempts to manipulate the hostage lists.
Protests in Tel Aviv
On Friday evening, protesters blocked the Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv, expressing their disagreement with the terms of the deal. They demanded the return of all hostages, both living and dead, home.
The first wave of dismissals
Earlier this week, Hamas released three hostages: Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen. According to the agreement, Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for each civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli soldier released by Hamas.
Humanitarian category of hostages
First of all, women, children, the elderly and the wounded will be released, as they fall under the humanitarian category.
The agreement is strategically important for de-escalating the conflict, but it is causing serious public debate within Israel.
