Israel-Hamas Hostage Release, Cease-Fire Deal Delayed by at Least a Day
The Israel-Hamas hostage release and cease-fire deal has been delayed until at least Friday, Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi announced in a statement late Wednesday night. The deal was initially slated to begin today.
A Palestinian official confirmed the delay, stating that “last-minute details” were still being worked out. While those details have not been publicized, they reportedly include questions over access by the Red Cross to the hostages and over the names of the Israeli hostages to be released.
Earlier on Wednesday, an agreement was announced for a four-day truce, during which 53 mostly Israeli women and children being held hostage in the Gaza Strip would be released in exchange for 150 Palestinians held in Israeli jails, all women or minors and none convicted of murder. In addition, Israel would allow some 300 trucks containing humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip.
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The hostages, including young children and elderly people, were abducted to Gaza on Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists embarked on a murderous rampage in Israel and killed some 1,200 people and kidnapped 240 others.
“The contacts on the release of our hostages are advancing and continuing constantly,” Hanegbi said in his statement. “The start of the release will take place according to the original agreement between the sides, and not before Friday.”
Both the United States and Qatar have been acting as mediators for the talks.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces continued to conduct their operations in the Gaza Strip, while rockets continued to be launched at Israel from Gaza and from across the northern border with Lebanon.
