International Courant
Hamas handed over 13 Israeli prisoners and 4 foreigners to the Worldwide Committee of the Crimson Cross (ICRC) after a delay of a number of hours, because the group alleged that Israel had violated the phrases of a ceasefire.
The standoff was resolved after mediation by Qatar and Egypt on Saturday, the second day of the lull in hostilities within the Israeli-Palestinian battle.
Israel is now anticipated to launch 39 Palestinian prisoners from its prisons.
Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Overseas Ministry, stated in a message on X that 13 Israelis and 4 foreigners had been handed over to the ICRC.
They had been heading to the Rafah border crossing between southern Gaza and Egypt earlier than touring to Israel.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated 13 Israeli prisoners and 4 Thai nationals had been on the ICRC and headed to the border crossing often known as Kerem Shalom, or Karam Abu Salem.
The convoy “returning to Israel” is making its approach by means of Egyptian territory, he stated.
Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from east Jerusalem, stated the Israeli navy confirmed “simply moments in the past” that Hamas had handed over the prisoners to the ICRC.
“They are going to then be handed over to the Israeli military. They are going to be taken to an air base in southern Israel for an preliminary verify, the place they are going to then be flown to varied hospitals within the Tel Aviv space for added medical and psychological checks,” she stated.
Crimson Cross autos reportedly carrying prisoners launched by Hamas throughout Gaza’s Rafah border crossing en path to Egypt (Screengrab/AJE TV)
Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan had earlier stated that assist deliveries allowed by Israel fell in need of what was promised and didn’t attain northern Gaza, which was the goal of the Israeli offensive.
Solely 65 of the 340 assist vehicles that entered Gaza since Friday had reached northern Gaza, which was “lower than half of what Israel had agreed to,” Hamdan stated from Beirut.
The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, beforehand stated that Israel had not revered the phrases of the discharge of Palestinian prisoners.
Qadura Fares, the Palestinian commissioner for prisoners, stated Israel had not launched prisoners in keeping with seniority, as anticipated.
Israel has stated 50 vehicles carrying meals, water, shelter supplies and medical provides have been despatched to northern Gaza beneath United Nations supervision, the primary main assist supply there for the reason that warfare started seven weeks in the past.
The row over the second prisoner-for-prisoner swap dashed hopes when 13 Israeli ladies and kids had been launched by Hamas on Friday. About 39 Palestinian ladies and youngsters had been launched from Israeli prisons.
Israeli navy spokesman Daniel Hagari stated the federal government was dedicated to adhering to the ceasefire settlement with Hamas, however that there have been many events and components concerned. “And day by day brings its complexity,” he added.
Hagari famous the exceptional progress in efforts to free the prisoners.
Nonetheless, at the least two Palestinians had been reportedly killed by the Israeli military and 11 injured as they tried to journey to northern Gaza on Friday.
Numerous displaced individuals tried to return dwelling by means of Gaza because the four-day ceasefire brokered by Qatar got here into impact on Friday. Nonetheless, Israel has warned those who they won’t be allowed to enter the north of the war-torn enclave.
Prolong armistice?
Earlier than the snag within the newest hostage-for-prisoner trade, Egypt, which controls the Rafah crossing by means of which assist deliveries to southern Gaza have resumed, stated it had obtained “constructive indicators” from all sides a couple of doable extension of the pause in Gaza. to battle.
Diaa Rashwan, the top of Egypt’s State Data Service (SIS), stated in a press release that Cairo was holding in depth talks with all events to achieve an settlement that might imply “the discharge of extra prisoners in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.”
Israel has stated the ceasefire could possibly be prolonged if Hamas continues to launch hostages at a price of at the least 10 a day. A Palestinian supply has stated that as much as 100 hostages could possibly be launched.
For now, 50 of the roughly 240 hostages shall be exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners for 4 days beneath the ceasefire, the primary halt to preventing since Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 individuals.
Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, rain bombs and grenades on the enclave and launch a floor offensive within the north. Israel’s brutal bombardment has killed greater than 14,800 individuals, about 40 p.c of them youngsters, Palestinian well being authorities stated on Saturday.
Hamas releases 13 Israeli prisoners after hours of delay, Qatar confirms | Israeli-Palestinian Battle Information
Africa Area Information ,Subsequent Large Factor in Public Knowledg
