Israel confirms identity of three more hostages that will be released in the Gaza Strip

In the last exchange, on February 8, Hamas forced three hostages to thank the kidnappers in front of Palestinians gathered to witness their release in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas threatens Blocking negotiations

Hamas threatened to block future liberations and Israel from disrespecting the agreement and preventing humanitarian aid from the Palestinian enclave.

According to Palestinian sources, the mediators obtained a “Israeli promise to implement the provisions of the Humanitarian Agreement”, which should allow the entry into Gaza of prefabricated products, tents, fuel, heavy equipment and medicines, among others.

The hostages were captured in Israel during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war. Of the 251 people forcibly taken to Gaza, 73 remain in the enclave. At least 35 died, according to the Israeli army.

During the first phase of the truce, 33 hostages and 1,900 detainees should be released. But the maintenance of the ceasefire remains uncertain, and negotiations on the second phase, which is expected to take effect in early March, have not yet begun.