Baku 18° C
https://static.report.az/photo/a5415ac5-87e9-31c8-be96-2547e6b59d92.jpeg
The start of a short-term cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that will allow for the release of some hostages held in Gaza, the release of Palestinians being held by Israel and for more humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip has been delayed until Friday, an Israeli official said, Report informs via CBS News.
"The contacts on the release of our hostages are advancing and continuing constantly. The start of the release will take place according to the original agreement between the sides, and not before Friday," Israeli National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi said Wednesday in a statement.
The release of hostages, along with a four-day cease-fire, was originally set to begin Thursday morning. A spokesperson for the US National Security Council stressed that the delay did not indicate the deal was in peril.
"The deal was agreed and remains agreed. The parties are working out final logistical details, particularly for the first day of implementation," Adrienne Watson, the NSC spokesperson, said in a statement. "It is our view that nothing should be left to chance as the hostages begin coming home. Our primary objective is to ensure that they are brought home safely. That is on track and we are hopeful that implementation will begin on Friday morning."
According to the terms of the deal, Hamas will release 50 hostages, all women and children, over the course of four days. Three Palestinian prisoners held by Israel will be released for every Israeli hostage released by Hamas. President Biden said three Americans are among those expected to be released by Hamas. One of the American hostages is a three-year-old girl, the only American child being held by Hamas, but it was not immediately clear if she would be part of the initial release.
There is a possibility more could be released by both sides.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that "the release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause."
Israel has said Hamas militants seized about 240 hostages during their Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed. Four hostages had been released before Wednesday's deal was announced, and another, an Israeli soldier, was rescued by the Israel Defense Forces troops in Gaza. Israel also said two hostages were found dead near the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza last week.
