Israel approves Hamas’ list of hostages to be released Saturday. The four hostages are female IDF observers Naama Levy, Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa and Karina Ariev.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office initially said that the list Hamas published of the four names of hostages to be released on Saturday did not comply with the agreement in a statement on Friday.
“Israel is preparing to receive the hostages tomorrow. The list of prisoners will be provided this evening,” a security source said Friday evening, according to Israeli media.
As part of the hostage deal, it was originally agreed that the four hostages set for release on Saturday are to be three soldiers and one civilian.
“The Hostages Families Forum welcomes the news about the expected release of Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Liri Albag, and Naama Levy after 477 days in Hamas captivity,” the Hostages Families Forum said in a statement. “An entire nation has fought for them and anxiously awaits their longed-for return to their families’ embrace.
Families of the hostages blocking the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv calling for every last hostage to be released. (Credit Danor Aharon)
“We have both a sacred duty and moral right to bring all our brothers and sisters home. We will not give up or stop at any stage until all hostages return home under the current agreement – down to the very last one – the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland.”
The deal will see 33 hostages released in the first phase in exchange for the release of security prisoners, humanitarian aid, and an IDF withdrawal from some areas in Gaza.
Hamas is also supposed to pass on a list of the status of the remaining 26 hostages held in Gaza who are on the release list for the first phase.
For the first time, Israel will, therefore, receive official information about the fate of the Bibas family: Parents Shiri and Yarden and children, Ariel and Kfir.
Israel has already prepared to put pressure on Hamas if it tries to “play games” with the lists.
Protests on Ayalon highway
Protesters blocked the Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv on Friday evening. They were protesting against the current deal, saying that every hostage, dead and alive, should come home.
First three hostages released on Sunday
The first three hostages, Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen, were released on Sunday from Hamas captivity.
Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for every civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian detainees for every Israeli female soldier Hamas releases. Hostages expected to be released in the first phase are those who fall under the humanitarian category, such as women, children, elderly, or wounded.
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