Hamas said on Monday (Jan 20, 2025) that it would release hostages held in Gaza on Saturday, after an official from the Palestinian militant group said they would be freed a day later than expected.
Hamas is set to release the more than 90 hostages in the coming weeks as part of a complex ceasefire agreement 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 held by Israel.
Earlier, Nahed Al-Fakhouri, head of the Hamas prisoners’ media office, had said the hostages would be released on Sunday. Hamas was expected to release four Israeli hostages on Saturday, seven days after the ceasefire went into effect.
A senior Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reacted to Al-Fakhouri’s statement by saying Reuters The deadline for the release of the hostages was Saturday.
This month, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-phase ceasefire that could end the 15-month war in Gaza. The ceasefire came into effect on Sunday and Hamas freed three Israeli hostages. Israel also released Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The ceasefire agreement outlines an initial six-week ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages taken by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Published – January 21, 2025 02:36 am IST
