Hamas Confirms Second Batch of Israeli Captives Due for Release on Saturday
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Hamas has confirmed that the second batch of Israeli captives will be released next Saturday, following the first release on Sunday, after a ceasefire was reached following 15 months of Israeli genocide.
In a press release, Hamas said “the second batch of the prisoner exchange will take place on its scheduled date, Saturday, January 25, 2025.”
15 months of Israeli bombardment have reduced buildings to rubble and ash, leaving large areas of Gaza uninhabitable. Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and a prisoner release deal, which was implemented on January 19.
In the first phase of the deal, Hamas is expected to return a total of 33 Israeli captives. The exact number of Palestinians due to be released as part of the ceasefire deal is still unknown, with reported estimates ranging from approximately 1,000 to nearly 2,000.
The second phase of ceasefire negotiations is due to begin in two weeks.
The ceasefire deal is set to roll out in three phases and includes sending in many more humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza to alleviate the disaster in the enclave.
The first stage will last 42 days as Israeli forces pull out of parts of Gaza.
On Sunday, Hamas released three female captives: Emily Damari, 28, Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31.
