Hamas says next hostages will be released on Saturday as scheduled
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This month, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-phase ceasefire that could bring an end to the 15-month war in Gaza.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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CAIRO/TEL AVIV - Hamas on Jan 20 said it would next release hostages held in Gaza on Jan 25, after an official with the Palestinian militant group had said they would be released a day later than expected
Hamas is set to release the more than 90 hostages over the coming weeks as part of a complex ceasefire deal reached with Israel this month that could end the 15-month war in Gaza.
The militant group said in a statement that the next group of hostages would next be released on Jan 25 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees who are held by Israel.
Earlier, Nahed Al-Fakhouri, head of the Hamas prisoners’ media office, had said the hostages would be released on Jan 26. Hamas had been expected to release four Israeli hostages that day, seven days after the ceasefire came into effect.
A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reacted to Mr Al-Fakhouri’s statement by telling Reuters the deadline for the hostages to be released was Jan 25.
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 Jan 19 with Hamas releasing three Israeli hostages.
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. REUTERS
