Agreement on release of three Israeli hostages and return of Palestinians to North Gaza

An agreement has been reached on the release of three Israeli hostages and the return of displaced Palestinians to the north of the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported this late on Sunday evening. After mediation by Qatar and Egypt, Hamas has promised to release Arbel Yehoud, who was kidnapped from her kibbutz a year and a half ago on Friday, as well as the female Israeli soldier Agam Berger and an as yet unknown other hostage.

Yehoud, held by Islamic Jihad, was actually supposed to be released this weekend, but Hamas said there was “a technical problem.” That is why Israel refused to open the Netzarim corridor, the border between the south and north of the Gaza Strip. The tens of thousands of Gazans who gathered at the border crossing this weekend will still be allowed to return home from this Monday morning with the deal now concluded.

Since the ceasefire came into effect last Sunday, Hamas has so far released seven hostages and Israel has released more than two hundred Palestinian prisoners.

To share





Email the editor