New Delhi: Amid the ongoing four-day truce, Hamas said it has decided to delay the release of second batch of hostages till Israel allowed aid trucks to reach Northern Gaza, news agency Reuters reported. According to the report, Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades said the release of hostages would be delayed if Israel did not follow the agreed terms for release of Palestinian prisoners.
However, there was no immediate response from Israel on the Hamas decision. Earlier, Israeli military spokesperson, speaking to France’s BFM television station said that except for last minute changes, 13 Israeli hostages were expected to be released in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners in the second batch.
In the first batch of exchange that happened on Friday, Israel released 24 hostages. Among them were 13 Israelis, 10 Thai farm workers and a Filipino.
Meanwhile, Egypt, which controls the Rafah border through which humanitarian aid is being sent to Gaza Strip under the truce, said it has received “positive signals” from all parties that the ongoing truce could be extended by one or two days, Reuters reported.
Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS) chief Diaa Rashwan in a statement said Cairo has been holding extensive talks with all the parties to reach an agreement which would mean “the release of more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.”
📍Cairo..Tripartite discussions between FM Sameh Shoukry and FMs of Portugal and Slovenia on Gaza.. Consensus in positions regarding the necessity of ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid..visiting FMs appreciated 🇪🇬 role in concluding the truce agreement@tfajon@JoaoCravinho pic.twitter.com/j8FGEkQwuL
— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) November 25, 2023
Israelis expressed satisfaction after they reunited with their families after 49 days. However, they remained wary of those who are still held captive by the Hamas.
Among those released was nine-year-old Ohad Munder, who ran down a hospital’s corridor to hug his father. Ohad was freed along with his 55-year-old mother Keren Munder and 78-year-old grandmother Ruti Munder. His grandfather Avraham Munder still remains in Gaza.
“I dreamt we came home,” another four-year old Israeli said after being freed, reported Reuters.
