Hamas set to release three Israeli captives amid ceasefire efforts
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Hamas is set to release three Israeli captives as part of a prisoner exchange, with mediation efforts progressing toward "Israel's" resumption of humanitarian aid entry into Gaza.
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Israeli captives, from left to the right, Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy are escorted by Hamas fighters on a stage before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday, February 8, 2025. (AP)
Israeli channel Kan, citing Palestinian sources, reported that Hamas is preparing to release three Israeli captives as part of the sixth batch of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal, set to take place on Saturday.
According to Kan, Egyptian sources confirmed that mediation efforts have made significant progress, with negotiations moving toward solidifying a ceasefire agreement and resuming the exchange process. Notably, Israeli security circles reportedly share the assessment put forth by Palestinian sources.
In a similar vein, sources cited by i24NEWS revealed that mediation efforts have successfully resolved several key obstacles, including securing approval for multiple international organizations to deliver desperately needed fuel and medical supplies into Gaza. However, discussions are still ongoing to obtain Israeli authorization for the entry of prefabricated homes and tents to provide shelter for forcibly displaced people in Gaza.
The sources added that an agreement on allowing trailers into Gaza could be finalized by Thursday, potentially paving the way for the completion of the prisoner exchange process.
'Israel' to proceed with ceasefire if three captives released Sat: Axios
"Israel" has conveyed a message to Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari mediators, stating that the ongoing prisoner release-ceasefire agreement will continue if the Palestinian group releases three captives on Saturday, Axios reported, citing a senior Israeli official.
On Tuesday, conflicting statements from Israeli officials and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu created uncertainty regarding the conditions for extending the ceasefire. Some statements indicated that Hamas must release "our hostages," while others specified "9 hostages" or even "all of them" for the truce to continue.
According to the Israeli Army Radio, Netanyahu and his security cabinet were uncertain about the precise meaning of US President Donald Trump's demand that Hamas release "all of the hostages" by Saturday at noon. As a result, a series of ambiguous messages were issued following the security cabinet meeting.
The cabinet was unable to determine whether Trump was referring to all 76 remaining captives in Gaza or just those scheduled for release in the initial phase of the agreement.
“We are in a situation where we can’t refuse to adopt [the positions of] Trump, and therefore the prime minister’s wording was convoluted,” an Israeli minister told Army Radio anonymously.
The current fragile ceasefire agreement has been at risk of being jeopardized in recent days, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Tuesday that the bombardment of Gaza would resume if captives were not released by Saturday.
His statement matched that of US President Donald Trump, who warned a day earlier that "all hell" would break out if Hamas did not release "all" Israeli captives by Saturday.
This comes after the spokesperson for the Martyr Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced that the captive exchange set for February 15 has been postponed until further notice, due to the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The violations include IOF opening fire on Palestinians, tanks trespassing the permitted distance, and preventing the entry of heavy equipment, medical supplies, and caravans.
Hamas is demanding that "Israel" fulfill its obligations and compensate for its violations before the process can continue.
Read more: Qatar, Egypt 'working intensively' to resolve Gaza ceasefire crisis
