Ceasefire leads to the initial release of hostages by Hamas
The first three hostages held by Hamas are scheduled to be released on Sunday. This marks the beginning of an agreement that involves the release of 33 people in total.
The ceasefire, which will facilitate the release of hostages, is set to commence on Sunday. The agreements between the parties anticipate the release of the first three hostages held by Hamas.
They are to be released on Sunday at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. This information was reported by the Times of Israel, citing the news station Channel 12. The release of the hostages is part of an agreement that includes the total release of 33 people. Negotiations on this matter have been ongoing for weeks.
Hamas-Israel agreement: Three hostages to be freed on Sunday
The Israeli authorities warned from the outset that they would not commit to a full cessation of hostilities. The fight against Hamas is to be resumed after the truce expires. The Palestinian group states that any potential agreement depends on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and a permanent ceasefire.
According to media reports, Israel has submitted a list of 34 living hostages whose release it demands in the first phase of any potential ceasefire agreement. Hamas agreed to release older, sick women but refused to release the younger men listed by Israel, as they might be active soldiers.
Besides the three women who will gain freedom on Sunday, the list of people to be released includes 10 women and children, including two brothers aged nine months and four years.
The process of releasing hostages is expected to last for six weeks, during which additional groups of people will be freed each week. In the final week, 14 hostages will regain their freedom.
