Israel and Hamas truce to begin as first 13 hostages are 'on brink of freedom'
Hamas confirmed the truce in the war with Israel will start at 5am on Friday and 13 hostages – some children and elderly women – will be released at 2pm.
Relatives of those held in the tunnels inside Gaza are desperate this deal will hold following a delay yesterday. But for the first time all sides seemed to confirm that this would happen. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he received an “initial” list of names of hostages expected to go free. His spokesman said: “The relevant officials are checking the list and are in contact with all families.”
The military wing of Hamas said a ceasefire would go into effect this morning, and last four days. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said: “In four days, 50 [hostages] will be released,” and confirmed information from Israel that three jailed Palestinian terror convicts would be freed in exchange for every Israeli hostage.
Families have been begging for the hostages to be released (Getty Images)It also said four fuel trucks and 200 aid trucks will also be allowed to enter Gaza on each of those days. All military actions will cease during the four-day halt in fighting. Qatar foreign ministry spokesman Majid al-Ansari said of those to be freed: “Some are elderly women, some children. They will be handed over to the Red Cross, the idea is to make the transfer as safe as possible for all parties. We have to remember this is a war zone.”
Once the hostages have reached Israeli soil then 39 Palestinians will be freed and taken to the West Bank, it is believed. Mr Netanyahu, who met with Foreign Secretary David Cameron yesterday, said: “We hope to get this first tranche out, and then we’re committed to getting everyone out. We’ll continue with our war aims, mainly to eradicate Hamas.”
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Earlier Mr Cameron visited kibbutz Be’eri, the scene of some of the worst violence. He said: “I wanted to come here myself to see the horrific nature of the attacks you suffered on October 7.” He urged those involved in talks over the deal to release hostages and pause fighting “to make sure that it happens”. Mr Cameron added: “Today is a day when we hope to see this humanitarian pause. It’s an opportunity to get hostages out and to get aid in.”
Israeli troops look on at the Gaza destruction (CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Irish dad Tom Hand, 63, whose nine-year-old daughter Emily is among those being held, has flown to Israel hoping to be reunited with her. But he said: “Until I have notification she has been released, I won’t believe anything.” Israel said until the truce is formally confirmed, they would still be fighting inside Gaza. Lt Colonel Peter Lerner said: “We are in a continued state of combat. We are holding our positions.” Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel on October 7 killing more than 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 more.
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