Terror-listed Hamas claims that they will release three people from captivity on Saturday in accordance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to Palestinian sources cited by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
In exchange, Israel will, among other things, increase the supply of aid – mainly consisting of tents, gas, and medical equipment. Trucks with aid will also be allowed to enter northern Gaza, according to Haaretz sources.
The ceasefire agreement's "framework is clear that three living captives must be released by Hamas terrorists on Saturday", said the Israeli government's spokesperson David Mencer.
If these three are not released, if Hamas does not allow our captives to return, by 12 o'clock on Saturday, then the ceasefire will cease, continued Mencer.
The agreement on the first phase of the ceasefire includes that the parties will exchange captives and prisoners in several stages. Some exchanges have already taken place, but in recent days, the parties have accused each other of violating the agreement, and Hamas has threatened not to hand over three captives on Saturday as planned.
Negotiations have been ongoing with mediators, where Egypt and Qatar continue to play crucial roles. The fragile ceasefire's first phase began on January 19.
