Israel national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, announced on Wednesday that the release of hostages has been postponed until at least Friday. He emphasized that ongoing negotiations are progressing, and the release will adhere to the original agreement between the involved parties.
The release is part of a broader humanitarian pause in Gaza, lasting a minimum of four days. This agreement involves the exchange of 50 civilian women and children hostages held in the Palestinian enclave for a corresponding number of Palestinian women and children currently detained in Israeli prisons. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the deal as “significant progress,” attributing the outcome to persistent diplomacy and extensive efforts across the United States government.
On Wednesday, Israeli National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi stated that the release of hostages from Gaza is scheduled for after Friday. The ongoing negotiations on the hostage release are progressing as per the original agreement between the parties. However, Hanegbi did not provide a specific reason for the delay. Israel national security
The agreement between Israel and Hamas involves the exchange of 50 hostages held by Hamas for a certain number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. The initiation of releases is contingent upon approval by the Israeli government, which was granted just after 3 a.m. on Wednesday in Jerusalem. To accommodate potential appeals by victims’ families to the Israeli Supreme Court, a mandatory 24-hour waiting period is observed before any releases can commence.
In order to facilitate the safe passage of the hostages, Israel and Hamas have mutually agreed to a four-day pause in hostilities. A senior Hamas official mentioned to Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the temporary ceasefire is expected to commence on Thursday morning, although the exact timing remains unclear.