Synopsis
On January 30, Israel received confirmation of a list detailing hostages to be released by Hamas in Gaza, including three Israelis and five Thais. This release is part of ongoing negotiations following a ceasefire agreement after 15 months of conflict.Key Takeaways
- Three Israeli hostages to be released.
- Five Thai nationals also set for release.
- Release is part of an ongoing negotiation process.
- Hamas faced accusations from Israel regarding previous agreements.
- Qatar played a mediating role in resolving disputes.
Jerusalem, Jan 30 (NationPress) Israel has obtained a list detailing the hostages anticipated to be released from Hamas custody in Gaza on Thursday, which includes three Israeli citizens and five Thai workers, as reported by Israeli sources.
The Palestinian militant group provided this list to mediators in advance of the expected release of a third group of hostages, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The office confirmed that Israel has accepted the list, which features civilian female Arbel Yehud, 29, female soldier Agam Berger, 19, and civilian male Gadi Mozes, 80, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
As per reports from Israel's state-owned Kan TV, in addition to the three Israeli hostages, five Thai nationals, who were engaged in agricultural work in southern Israel and were taken hostage by Hamas during the assault on October 7, 2023, will also be freed on Thursday.
Netanyahu's office did not provide any information regarding the Thai hostages.
Israeli statistics indicate that 10 foreign nationals remain detained by Hamas in Gaza, including eight Thais, a Nepali, and a Tanzanian, with at least three of them believed to be deceased.
This forthcoming release is distinct from the ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, concluding over 15 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The situation escalated after Hamas released four female soldiers on Saturday, leading Israel to accuse the group of breaching the agreement, which stipulated that Yehud was to be released prior to the soldiers. In retaliation, Israel refused to withdraw its forces from the Netzarim Corridor that divides northern and southern Gaza.
The conflict was resolved through mediation by Qatar. Hamas consented to release Yehud, Berger, and another hostage on Thursday, prior to the next planned release of three additional Israeli captives on Saturday. Following this, Israel agreed to facilitate the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza on Monday morning.
