"For the first time, Hamas militants have agreed to release all 48 ­remaining hostages - 20 alive, 26 confirmed dead, and two whose lives were in "serious danger" with an unknown status. The deadline for Hamas to return the captives who have been held for two years expires at midday local time. Shortly afterwards, 1,700 Palestinians detained from Gaza since October 2023 and 250 more serving life ­sentences will be released from Israeli detention."
"Israeli spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said Israel was "prepared and is ready" for the release, adding that the living hostages will be released in one go to Red Cross vehicles, but warned against "any sick displays by Hamas" during the handover. A lot is riding on the exchange: if it proceeds as planned, a fragile ceasefire will hold and hopefully progress to second phase of a long-term agreement."
Hamas militants have agreed to release all 48 remaining hostages — 20 alive, 26 confirmed dead, and two who were in serious danger with unknown status. The deadline for their return expires at midday local time, after which Israel will release 1,700 Palestinians detained since October 2023 and 250 serving life sentences, and return the bodies of 360 Palestinians. Israeli spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said Israel was prepared and ready and that living hostages will be handed to Red Cross vehicles, warning against any sick displays by Hamas. The exchange could secure a fragile ceasefire, enable limited Israeli withdrawals and allow tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return while aid convoys reach Gaza. A scheduled high-level visit aims to cement the deal amid previously stalled truces.
Read at Irish Independent
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