Associated Press
Egyptian officials said Hamas was preparing to release 14 Israeli hostages Saturday for 42 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as part of an exchange on the second day of a cease-fire that has allowed critical humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and given civilians their first respite after seven weeks of war.
On the first day of the four-day cease-fire, Hamas released 24 of the about 240 hostages taken during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison. Those freed from captivity in Gaza were 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and a Filipino.
On Saturday, Hamas provided mediators Egypt and Qatar with a list of 14 hostages to be released, and the list has been passed along to Israel, according to a Egyptian official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to talk about details of the ongoing negotiations. A second Egyptian official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the details.
Under the truce agreement, Hamas will release one Israeli hostage for every three prisoners freed, and Israel’s Prison Service had already said earlier Saturday it was preparing 42 prisoners for release.
It was not immediately clear how many non-Israeli captives may also be released.
Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners during the four-day truce, all woman and minors.
Israel has said the truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed — something United States President Joe Biden said he hoped would come to pass.
Separately, a Qatari delegation arrived in Israel on Saturday to coordinate with parties on the ground and “ensure the deal continues to move smoothly,” according to a diplomat briefed on the visit. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to do discuss details with the media.
The start of the truce Friday morning brought the first quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians reeling and desperate from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands, driven three-quarters of the population from their homes and leveled residential areas. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well.
6 comments
Impeach Biden
November 25, 2023 at 9:26 am
Hamas savages supported by the far left Demo’s. I would think this could be an opportunity for the Repubs to bring the Jews over to their side. Remember who it was that finally moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
Earl Pitts "America's-Go-To-Political--Guru" American
November 25, 2023 at 10:24 am
While publicly taking the position that American Jews had no clue that their near 100% votes for Democrats would bring on the deadly humiliation of the Israelis by having emboldened the enemy thru American Leftist Democratic showings of weakness and vulnerability by appeasement of the enemy “is the politically correct position to publicly take”.
I’m not in agreement of such political correctness …. they €ffin knew. I can offer up no explanation or logic for American Jews hatred of Israeli Jews. I just know that logically that’s a truthful statement.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words American Jews. Shame on you.
No Republicans can not make American Jews come over and vote Republican American Jews are quite happy where they are.
EPA
Ocean Joe
November 25, 2023 at 2:33 pm
Earl, how bout that crowd chanting ‘Jews will not Replace Us!’ in Charlottesville? Looked like they were fresh from a Trump rally.
Impeach Biden
November 25, 2023 at 2:52 pm
What aboutism. If the Jews were smart they would abandon the Demo party.
My Take
November 25, 2023 at 10:52 am
HAARETZ (Israel) — “Over a Year Before October 7, Israel’s Army Had Insight Into Hamas’ Attack Plan”
Yet the border was under-guarded.
One cannot help but suspect that a beset Bibi may have gambĺed that a much lesser attack would be of some political or legal benefit to him.
Settlers’ movement officials might have seen it as an excuse to recolonize Gaza. Some are openly proposing that now.
Ocean Joe
November 25, 2023 at 2:27 pm
The best explanation of the timing was to derail recognition of Israel by Saudi Arabia which would have impacted Iran.
Your theory is analogous to the Republicans who argued the ransacking of our Capitol on Jan 6 was because Nancy Pelosi knew there was going to be trouble but didnt post enough guards on purpose. Equally nonsensical.
The kumbaya stuff doesnt work over there. Nobody wants Gaza. It is an overpopulated mess despite the talk of genocide. Israel forcibly removed all settlers years ago.
BTW, Israel successfully shot down a hypersonic missile, with weaponry developed with the US, weaponry that will protect our carrier fleet from the Chinese. The big picture is that an American ally, a western style democracy which is 21% Arab, is protecting its’ sovereignty from a group of killers who sacrifice and hide behind women and children. Be glad the US doesnt have neighbors like that.
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