Hamas Armed Wing to Release 20 Israeli Hostages in Gaza

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, declared on Monday its intention to release twenty Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip. This move forms part of the implementation of the recently agreed ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between the Palestinian group and Israel.

According to reports from Israeli media outlets, the hostage release process will be conducted in two distinct phases. The first phase is scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM local time (0500 GMT) from the Netzarim area, located south of Gaza City. A second phase will follow at 10:00 AM local time (0700 GMT) from the Khan Younis area and central Gaza refugee camps.

The Palestinian resistance group publicly released the names of the twenty individuals slated for release. The list includes Elkana Bohbot, Matan Angrest, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel, Evyatar Davud, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavski, and twins Gali and Ziv Berman. Also named were Eitan Mor, Segev Kalfon, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Bar Kupershtein, Omri Miran, and brothers David and Ariel Cunio.

This hostage release represents a key component of the broader ceasefire agreement currently in effect. The deal, which also involves the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention facilities, marks a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict that has affected the Gaza region.