Israelis and Palestinians anxiously awaited the next steps in the 42-day Gaza ceasefire and hostage prison swap on Friday, as a truce between Israel and Hamas first appeared to be in place. Ta. week.
Under the terms of the deal, Hamas was expected to send the names of the four female hostages to be released on Saturday. In response, Israel is expected to publish the names of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners.
Analysts said next weekend will be a key test of the deal. The cease-fire also stipulated that Israeli forces must partially withdraw from a large zone of central Gaza and allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their devastated homes in the north.
Of the four women to be released, Hamas was expected to include at least some of the Israeli female soldiers it kidnapped in an attack on October 7, 2023. According to the ceasefire agreement, it requires Israel to release Palestinians serving long sentences for committing deadly attacks.
A 42-day ceasefire agreement went into effect on Sunday, suspending fighting between Israel and Hamas. Hamas agreed to release more than 1,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and 33 of the remaining hostages in exchange for a partial Israeli withdrawal. During the pause, both sides agreed to discuss terms for a longer ceasefire.
Many on both sides viewed the deal as a bittersweet moment. Despite fearing for his future in the enclave, Gazan was grateful for the reprieve after a 15-month war that had killed tens of thousands of people.
Israelis experienced collective euphoria over the release of the three female hostages. 24 years old. Emily Damari, 28; and Doron Steinbrecher, 31. But their joy was tempered by scenes of Hamas fighters parading through the streets of Gaza in a show of force, despite vows by Israeli leaders to destroy the group.
The war began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that Israeli authorities said saw 1,200 people killed and 250 taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent military campaign against Hamas has killed at least 45,000 people, according to local health authorities.
Some 94 hostages remain in Gaza, and dozens are estimated dead, according to Israeli authorities. They include Israeli soldiers, male civilians, women, and Thai migrant workers.
