The hostage deal between Hamas and the Israeli government was concluded on Wednesday evening (see video above). In the meantime, more details are gradually becoming known. For example, young men up to the age of 18 should be released from Israeli prisons.
According to the Times of Israel, most of the young Palestinians were jailed for rioting and throwing stones in the West Bank or East Jerusalem. 287 of the 300 prisoners are young men up to 18 years old. According to the report, thirteen other prisoners are adult women convicted mainly for knife attacks. Israeli media had previously reported that no prisoners serving their sentences for murder would be released.
As reported, the Israeli government and the Islamist Hamas have agreed to a four-day ceasefire in the closed Gaza Strip and the exchange of fifty hostages for Palestinian prisoners. According to mediator Qatar, the start of the break in the fighting has yet to be announced.
Will 80 hostages be released?
According to Hamas, up to 150 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released in the first four days. After that, it is also possible that more Palestinians will be released from their prisons in exchange for more Israeli hostages, the report said. For every additional day, Hamas would have to release ten additional hostages. The Israeli government now assumes that a total of 80 hostages can be released instead of the originally assumed 50 hostages.
According to an Israeli government spokesman, relatives of terror victims, among others, could object to the release of the prisoners within 24 hours. It is expected that the court will take no action against the government’s decision.
EU: hope and breathing space
“We hope that this ceasefire will create a comprehensive and lasting agreement that will stop the war machine and the bloodshed,” Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani wrote on Platform X on Wednesday.
Here you can see a tweet from Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.
EU leaders have now also responded positively to the agreement. “Every day that these mothers and children are held hostage by terrorists is one too many. I share the joy of the families who will soon be able to hug their loved ones again,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She appealed to Hamas to release the rest of the approximately 240 hostages. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the deal gave desperate families in Israel some hope and Palestinians some respite.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
