Hamas says next hostages to be released on Sun

21/1/2025 10:28

A Hamas official said

on Monday the Palestinian militant group would next release

hostages on Sunday, a day later than expected under a complex

ceasefire accord reached this month with Israel.



Nahed Al-Fakhouri, head of the Hamas prisoners' media

office, said in a statement the names of hostages it would

release would be provided on Saturday. Israel would similarly

disclose the names of Israeli prisoners to be released under the

deal, he said.



“Based on these two lists, the actual implementation will be

carried out on Sunday,” Al-Fakhouri said.



Hamas had been expected to release four hostages on

Saturday, coinciding with a release of Palestinian prisoners

held by Israel.



A senior Israeli official, speaking on the condition of

anonymity, said that as far as Israel was concerned, the

deadline for the next hostages to be released by Hamas was

Saturday.



“This is the agreement and must be adhered to,” the official

told Reuters.



Earlier this month, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-phase

ceasefire that could bring an end to the 15-month war in Gaza.

The ceasefire came into effect on Sunday with Hamas releasing

three Israeli hostages. Israel also released Palestinian

prisoners and detainees.



The ceasefire accord outlines a six-week initial ceasefire

phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from

the Gaza Strip and release of hostages taken by Hamas in

exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.