The Palestinian group of Gaza claims that a total of 369 prisoners detained in Israeli prisons should be released on Saturday.
Three captives must be released by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic jihad in exchange for 369 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons as part of the ceasefire in Gaza.
The captives that will be released on Saturday have been identified as the United States Sagui Dekel-Chen, Russian-Israeli Alexandre Sasha Troufanov and the Argentine-Israeli Yair.
Although the names of the Palestinians to publish have not been announced, the Israeli media reported that 333 had been arrested in Gaza and will be sent back to the besieged enclave, 10 will be released in occupied West Bank, one in East Jerusalem and 25 will be sent to Gaza or Egypt.
In the southern city of Rafah in Gaza, Hani Mahmoud of Tel Aviv Tribune reported that the Palestinians had closely followed the announcement of the outings.
“Today’s news have been sending more optimism among people,” he said while noting apprehension and concern in recent days.
Tel Aviv Tribune’s Nour Odeh, postponing Amman, Jordan, said the release of the three captives gives more hope to other Israeli families whose relatives are still detained in Gaza.
“For the moment, the ceasefire holds. There is a certain hope. And the families of the Palestinians await the list of prisoners, who will be included and will see their loved ones tomorrow, “said Odeh on Friday. “Another sigh of relief for mediators but the radio silence of the Israeli government.”
Until now, 21 captives, including 16 Israelis, have been released by Hamas since the start of the ceasefire on January 19.
After the release of more captives, the ceasefire should go to its second phase on March 1, although it is not yet clear how it will take place, noted Odeh.
During this phase, the release of Israeli soldiers is expected that the details are not yet negotiated, she added.
Earlier this week, Hamas, citing the violation by Israel of cease-fire conditions, had threatened to delay the next release of captives. He declared that Israel had not complied with his obligations to authorize the expeditions of tents and shelters in Gaza, among other alleged violations.
Israel, with the support of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, said that it would take up the fighting if the captives were not released as agreed, but that he had not commented on Hamas’ statement.
Hamas said he had talked in Cairo with Egyptian officials and was in contact with the Prime Minister of Qatar about the introduction, more shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment for Clean the large quantities of rubble in Gaza, its key request in recent days. He said in a statement that the mediators were committed to “deleting all obstacles”.
