3 Hostages Expected to Return Tomorrow

Jan 29, 2025 2:24 pm | News, Ticker, Virtual Jerusalem

Israel prepares to repatriate a trio of captives–a female civilian, a female soldier, and a man still unnamed, as Hamas tries to link delay to Gaza aid deliveries. The hostages have been held more than 15 months.

Israel is awaiting the release of hostages from Hamas captivity on January 30, 2025, as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Two of the individuals expected to be freed—civilian Arbel Yehud, 29, and IDF soldier Agam Berger, 21—have been confirmed, but Hamas has yet to provide the name of the third hostage scheduled for release. The delay has caused anxiety among Israeli officials, who are wary of Hamas’s ongoing manipulations in negotiations.

In exchange for these hostages, Israel has agreed to release Palestinian security prisoners. Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas demanded 30 Palestinian prisoners for each civilian hostage and 50 for each military captive. This latest exchange will see the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners, including at least 30 convicted terrorists serving life sentences.

Hamas Attempts to Tie Hostage Release to Aid Deliveries

Hamas officials have claimed that delays in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza could impact the upcoming hostage release, a claim swiftly dismissed by Israeli authorities as “fake news.” Hamas representatives, speaking anonymously, accused Israel of failing to deliver key aid materials, including fuel, tents, and heavy machinery, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement. However, Israeli sources counter that over 3,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since the start of the week, putting deliveries ahead of schedule.

Israeli officials view this as yet another attempt by Hamas to shift blame and create uncertainty over the hostage release. “This is a deliberate ploy to stall the process and extract additional concessions,” one senior official said. Channel 12 reported that Hamas raised the issue during a meeting with Egyptian mediators in Cairo, but Israel has made it clear that it will not tolerate attempts to renege on the agreed terms.

US Mideast Envoy Arrives in Israel for Second Phase of Ceasefire Talks

Adding to the diplomatic complexity, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel today for discussions on the second phase of the truce deal. The United States is pushing for an extension of the ceasefire and further hostage releases, but Israeli leaders remain skeptical about Hamas’s intentions. Concerns are growing that Hamas will continue to use hostage negotiations as leverage to stall military action while regrouping in Gaza.

Growing Concerns Over the Hostages’ Condition

Meanwhile, fears persist over the condition of some of the hostages still in Hamas custody. Danny Elgarat, whose brother Itzik is among the captives, expressed concerns that at least eight of the 33 hostages scheduled for release may already be dead. “We know more today about the list that Hamas passed on. I won’t speak for others, but we will probably not receive him [Itzik] alive,” he stated. Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed these fears, but there is growing frustration over Hamas’s refusal to provide clear information on the condition of all captives.

Political Reactions and Regional Implications

As the hostage release nears, domestic political tensions continue to rise. The Nachala settler movement launched a campaign against the ceasefire deal, advocating for a policy of “Occupy, Expel, Settle” in Gaza. The group argues that Israel should reestablish settlements in the Strip rather than negotiate with Hamas, a position that has sparked sharp debate within Israel’s political establishment.

At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Washington on Sunday for a meeting with former US President Donald Trump. The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, is expected to cover Israel’s long-term security strategy, the ceasefire negotiations, and broader regional issues, including Iran and Hezbollah.

0 Comments

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. 3 Hostages Expected to Return Tomorrow | Israel Insider | Israel NOWlej - […] tries to link delay to Gaza aid deliveries. The hostages have been held more than 15 months. | Read…