A Hamas official mentioned on Monday the Palestinian militant group would subsequent launch hostages on Sunday, a day later than anticipated beneath a fancy ceasefire accord reached this month with Israel.
Nahed Al-Fakhouri, head of the Hamas prisoners’ media workplace, mentioned in a press release the names of hostages it might launch can be supplied on Saturday. Israel would equally disclose the names of Israeli prisoners to be launched beneath the deal, he mentioned.
“Primarily based on these two lists, the precise implementation can be carried out on Sunday,” Al-Fakhouri mentioned.
Hamas had been anticipated to launch 4 hostages on Saturday, coinciding with a launch of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
A senior Israeli official, talking on the situation of anonymity, mentioned that so far as Israel was involved, the deadline for the following hostages to be launched by Hamas was Saturday.
“That is the settlement and have to be adhered to,” the official advised Reuters.
Earlier this month, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-phase ceasefire that would deliver an finish to the 15-month conflict in Gaza. The ceasefire got here into impact on Sunday with Hamas releasing three Israeli hostages. Israel additionally launched Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The ceasefire accord outlines a six-week preliminary ceasefire part and contains the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and launch of hostages taken by Hamas in trade for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
