Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that a significant agreement has been reached with Hamas to initiate the release of additional hostages starting this Thursday. This will coincide with allowing Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza Strip beginning Monday morning.
Qatar played a crucial role in mediating this agreement, which aims to alleviate the escalating crisis surrounding the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, “After firm and determined negotiations led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Hamas has agreed to proceed with an additional phase of hostage releases this Thursday.” This phase includes the release of Israeli citizen Arbel Yehud, soldier Agam Berger, and one other hostage.
The announcement also indicated that three more hostages would be released on Saturday as part of the terms of this agreement.
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Israel has confirmed that Hamas submitted a list outlining the condition of the hostages expected to be released in the initial phase. Local media further reported that this list detailed the number of living and deceased hostages, although names were not disclosed.
Israeli officials assert that the majority of the 26 remaining hostages are alive, aligning with the information provided by Hamas.
Additionally, Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel will permit Palestinians to return to northern Gaza starting Monday morning, as part of the agreement with Hamas.
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Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s stance that any violation of the agreement will not be tolerated, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring the return of all hostages, whether dead or alive.
In a related statement, the White House announced that the agreement between Israel and Lebanon will be under U.S. supervision and is set to remain effective until February 18, 2025.
“The Governments of Lebanon, Israel, and the United States will commence negotiations regarding the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023,” the statement detailed.
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This agreement between Israel and Hamas follows allegations from the former that the latter had altered the order of hostages initially intended for release, which resulted in Israeli forces blocking thousands of Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza.
Moreover, Israeli forces announced on Friday that they would not retreat from southern Lebanon, as the ceasefire stipulates, until the Lebanese government fulfills its obligations. According to the agreement, both groups were expected to withdraw by Sunday.
“IDF troops in southern Lebanon fired warning shots to deter threats in areas where suspects were identified approaching the troops,” the IDF reported in a statement earlier Sunday.
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These disputes arose shortly after President Donald Trump urged Egypt and Jordan to accept more refugees from Gaza to “clean out” the region.
“I’d like Egypt to take people,” Trump stated. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.'”
Trump praised Jordan for accepting Palestinian refugees, adding that he advised the king, “I’d love for you to take on more, because I’m looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a mess. It’s a real mess.”
