The Islamic Resistance Movement militias (Hamas), the Ezzedin al Qassam Brigadeshave announced the release of two more hostages held until now in the Gaza Strip.
The two captives are Nurit Yitzhak and Yocheved Lifshitz, the al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement on Telegram, who are released for “reasons of force majeure” and reasons of “illness”, as explained by the spokesman for the Ezzedin al Qassam BrigadesAbu Obeida, on social networks.
Abu Obeida has reiterated that last Friday Israel refused to accept the release of these two hostages, but they have finally decided to release the two prisoners “despite the fact that the occupation (Israel) has failed eight times to comply with the procedures agreed upon with the sponsors of the agreement”.
The Hamas spokesperson highlighted that this agreement was possible thanks to the mediation of Egypt and Qatar.
Reports from Israel suggest release of around 50 hostages held by Hamas could be imminent. Tel Aviv’s I24 news channel reports that “sources inside Gaza” They stated that “the finalization of a possible agreement” negotiated by Qatar was underway for the release of some 50 kidnapped people who have dual citizenship. Red Cross officials are believed to be en route to receive the group, I24 said, and the release could be completed “in the next few hours” if there are no obstacles. The suspension of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza is believed to have been part of the deal to allow Red Cross teams to reach the hostages safely.
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