Hamas has transferred three women hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on X. Upon the hostages’ return to Israel, 90 Palestinian prisoners are set to be released from Israeli custody. The exact timeline for this process remains uncertain. Additionally, Israel has stated that Hamas is expected to release four more women hostages within the next seven days.
Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office announced on Sunday that three hostages held by Hamas in Gaza would be released after 1400 GMT. The statement also confirmed that four other female hostages, who are alive, will be freed within the next seven days.
Hamas identified the three Israeli female hostages to be released on Sunday as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, according to the militant group’s statement. However, Israel has not yet disclosed the names of the hostages.
In a tweet, the official handle of the Israeli Prime Minister stated, “Israel has received the list of the hostages who are due to be released today according to the framework. The security establishment is now checking the details.”
Under the ongoing ceasefire, 33 of the 98 Israeli hostages held by Hamas are expected to be released, as reported by news agency Reuters. In exchange, Israel will free approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners currently held in various Israeli jails. The ceasefire deal is being mediated by Qatar.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip went into effect on Sunday after a nearly three-hour delay, temporarily pausing a 15-month-long conflict. The truce, which followed months of intense negotiations, was aimed at halting the deadly war that has caused significant casualties and political turmoil in the Middle East.
Although the ceasefire was delayed, residents and medical personnel in Gaza reported no new fighting or military strikes about 30 minutes after the truce was set to begin. However, between 06:30 GMT and 09:15 GMT, when the ceasefire was finally implemented, Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks led to the deaths of 13 Palestinians, according to Palestinian medics.
(With Reuters Inputs)