Deal On? About 13 children and women set to be released Friday at 4, Qataris say, in exchange for 39 terrorist prisoners
Israel informed families of hostages that their loved ones are set to be released tomorrow. This news comes as part of a broader agreement that will see about 13 children and women freed on Friday at 4 PM, in a prisoner exchange deal involving 39 women and teens classified by Israel as terrorists.
Qatar has confirmed that the ceasefire in Gaza will commence on Friday morning, with the initial release of 13 captives from a total group of 50 that are to be freed within the next four days. The names of the 13 have already been provided to the Mossad, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari announced in a press briefing in Doha on Thursday.
Family members held together by Hamas in Gaza are expected to be released as a unit, ensuring their collective return. This detail holds particular significance for the affected families, as expressed by the images of civilians held hostage, which have been on display in Jerusalem, underscoring the human toll of the ongoing conflict.
The deal was initially expected to take effect on Thursday; however, it encountered a slight postponement. Al Ansari downplayed the delay, emphasizing the commitment of both Israel and Hamas to the deal’s fulfillment. “The important thing is that we will maintain a clear line of communication” and will guarantee the release of the hostages, Al Ansari assured, signifying Qatar’s pivotal role in the negotiations.
“Our team has been working on this day and night,” Al Ansari said, acknowledging the urgency and delicate nature of the operation. “Every moment that goes by creates a danger that a life could be lost.” He confirmed that all individuals set to be released are currently alive, bringing solace to anxious families awaiting their return.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is slated to be involved in the release process, although the specifics of their participation and the mechanism of the handover from Hamas to Israel have not been disclosed.
Furthermore, the agreement will pave the way for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza via the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border, signifying a glimmer of hope for the embattled region. Although the aid expected to flow through is only a portion of what is needed, it is a step toward addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
As families prepare for the return of their loved ones, the atmosphere is one of cautious optimism, tempered by the knowledge of the volatile nature of the region and the complexities involved in such high-stakes exchanges. The successful implementation of this deal could mark a crucial moment in the protracted conflict, albeit a moment that arrives with the heavy knowledge of the fragility of such ceasefires.
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