Israel-Hamas agreement: First hostages to be released on January 19
Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images)
The office of the Prime Minister of Israel has announced that the release of hostages under the agreement with Hamas will begin without delay. It is expected that the first hostages will be freed on January 19, the press service of the Israeli government reports.
"According to the decision of the military-political cabinet and the government, as well as the entry into force of the agreement, the release of hostages could take place as early as Sunday, according to plan," the statement says.
The agreement between Israel and Hamas is expected to be approved on the evening of January 18. After the government accepts the agreement, Israel's Supreme Court may still review appeals against certain deal elements, but the court is expected not to interfere.
In particular, on Sunday, January 19, the release of three hostages is supposed to happen.
Israel-Hamas agreement
As reported earlier, on January 15, Israel and Hamas, with the involvement of mediators, reached an agreement concerning the Gaza Strip. The agreement paves the way for a ceasefire.
The mediators between Israel and Hamas were the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas is expected to release Israeli hostages in stages. The first phase, which will last 42 days, will see the release of 33 people, including women, children, the elderly, and the sick.
The second phase involves the release of other prisoners, while the third phase will focus on returning the bodies of hostages.
The Israeli Security Cabinet is supposed to approve the agreement with Hamas. On January 16, the Israeli Prime Minister's office announced that a meeting had been postponed because Hamas had rejected certain provisions. However, Hamas itself has denied these accusations.
For more details on the Israel-Hamas agreement and its details, read our material on the topic.
