The second phase of the release of hostages is going to begin under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Hamas issued a statement Thursday saying it would release four prisoners on Saturday, including at least one woman. According to the Times of Israel report, senior Hamas official Zaher Jabarin said that the names of these four hostages will be handed over to mediators on Friday.
The second phase of release will be completed on Saturday
Hamas has confirmed that the process of releasing the hostages will be completed on Saturday under the agreement. It is likely that Israeli servicemen and women will be among those released. Although Israel has repeatedly asked Hamas for information about the status and number of captured hostages, Hamas has rejected this demand and said that it will not share information about the prisoners.
50 for 1 deal
Under this agreement, in exchange for the release of every female soldier, Israel will have to release 50 Palestinian prisoners. Among these prisoners, there are 30 who are serving life sentences in Israeli jails. Earlier, on Monday, Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of three female hostages.
Netanyahu’s communication with the families of hostages
Amid this development, on Thursday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the families of the released Hostetz Damari, Steinbrecher, and Gonen. He assured that the Israeli government will make every possible effort to bring the remaining hostages home safely. In the call recording released by the PM’s office, Netanyahu said, “We have not given up and we will ensure the release of all hostages.”
Hamas’ stance
“We have prepared to give the mediators the names of the four hostages who will be released on Saturday,” Hamas leader Zaher Jabarin said in a statement. However, Hamas has made it clear that it will not share detailed information related to the number of hostages and their condition.
post-release phase
Under this agreement, exchange of hostages will continue in future also. Israel has reiterated that it will make all possible efforts to ensure the release of its citizens. At the same time, Hamas has insisted on the condition of release of Palestinian citizens imprisoned by Israel.
Expectations increased from the deal
Under this agreement, efforts are being made to reduce tension between the two sides. This exchange process between Israel and Hamas is in the eyes of human rights organizations and the global community. In the coming days, it will be important to see how effective this agreement proves to be in the direction of peace.
