Lists of Israeli Hostages, Palestinian Prisoners To Be Released Raise Concerns

Both Israel and the Hamas terrorist group have raised concerns over the lists of Israeli hostages and Palestinian security prisoners scheduled to be freed later today, in the fourth and final release of the four-day cease-fire agreement.

Israel received the list overnight, which was expected to contain the names of 11 Israeli women and children to be released from captivity in the Gaza Strip. It was not clear what the problems were with the list, but the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, “Discussions are being held on the list that was received overnight and which is now being evaluated in Israel. Additional information will be issued when possible.”

Meanwhile, a Qatari source said that Hamas had issues with some of the names of the Palestinian prisoners to be released. Qatari mediators were working to settle the dispute and avoid possible delays.

Hamas is pushing to extend the agreement to secure the release of more Palestinians jailed in Israel, a move many international officials predicted would happen.

Under the cease-fire agreement, Israel was to release 150 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 50 Israeli women and children taken hostage during Hamas’ murderous rampage in Israel on Oct. 7. So far, 39 Israeli women and children have been released. An Israeli-Russian man and 18 foreign nationals (17 Thai and one Filipino) have also been released under separate deals.

The four-day cease-fire has seen hundreds of trucks carrying relief supplies and fuel crossing into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.