A delay in Hamas releasing the second group of Israeli hostages has been resolved through Qatari and Egyptian communication with both parties.
Hamas delayed releasing the hostages for most of Saturday, claiming Israel was not holding up its end of the deal. But that has now been resolved, according to the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman.
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"After a delay in implementing the release of prisoners from both sides, the obstacles were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian communications with both sides, and tonight 39 Palestinian civilians will be released in exchange for the release of 13 Israeli detainees from Gaza in addition to 7 foreigners outside the framework of the agreement," the spokesman said in a social media post.
According to reports, Hamas was initially delaying the release of the second group of hostages, claiming that Israel violated the terms of the agreement by not releasing the Palestinian prisoners in the way the parties had agreed, allowing less aid to go into Northern Gaza than was agreed to, and by operating drones in the southern part of Gaza.
“The release of the second group of hostages is delayed due to Israel's non-compliance with the agreement's terms,” Hamas said in a statement, according to Haaretz.
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The deal agreed to by the two parties allowed for a four-day pause in fighting while Hamas released about 50 Israeli hostages. In addition, humanitarian aid is being sent to Gaza, and Israel has also agreed to release three Palestinians held in Israeli custody for every Israeli that's released.
On Friday, Hamas released 13 Israeli hostages, and Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.