Hamas announces four names of female hostages in Israel

Hamas announces four names of female hostages in Israel

Israel has received a list of four female hostages that Hamas plans to release on Saturday. This would be the second round of releases under the Ceasefire deal agreed this month.

According to media reports

The Israeli prime minister's office said the list was transmitted through intermediaries. It was also noted that Israel would respond to the list at a later date. To date, Israel has not publicly confirmed the names on the list, nor whether the list provided by Hamas is acceptable.

Questions about the future of female hostages

Hamas said on Friday that it wanted to release the four Israeli soldiers. This raises questions about the fate of a civilian hostage that Israel expected to be released in the second wave.

Israel's demands

Israel is calling for the release of Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old woman who was abducted from her home on Kibbutz Nir Oz. According to an insider, this was set as a condition for the next release of hostages.

Uncertainty about Israel's reaction

It is unclear whether Israel will accept the release of the four soldiers before Yehud's, or whether it will view the list as a breach of the agreement. Yehud is believed to be held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad rather than Hamas, which could influence the timing of her release.

First release of hostages

The three hostages released in the first phase, Emily Damari (28), Romi Gonen (24) and Doron Steinbrecher (31), were freed on Sunday. At the same time were from Israel 90 Palestinian prisoners released.

Progress in the Ceasefire Agreement

The release of the second group of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is part of the first phase of the Ceasefire Agreement, which is expected to last another five weeks. Under the terms, 26 more Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are to be released during this time.

Number of remaining hostages

Hamas and its allies are currently holding 91 people who were kidnapped from Israel on October 7, 2023. There are also three other hostages held in Gaza since 2014. A total of 251 people were kidnapped from Israel on October 7, 2023.

Humanitarian measures under the agreement

Under the agreement, Israeli troops will be withdrawn from certain areas of Gaza and the amount of humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza will be increased.

This story is continually updated.