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Qatar gave more details of the four-day cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
“The pause will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Friday… and the first batch of civilian hostages will be handed over at approximately 4:00 p.m. on the same day,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majid al-Ansari said.
He said the first batch of hostages to be released includes 13 women and children. They will be handed over to the Red Cross. There was, however, no indication if the Red Cross would be able to visit the remaining hostages, a key demand from the Israelis.
Israel has confirmed it had received an initial list of hostages to be released from Gaza, according to Reuters news agency.
“The relevant authorities are checking the details of the list and are presently in contact with all the families,” a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said.
The release of 50 hostages captured by Hamas militants during terror attacks in southern Israel on October 7, in which some 240 people were taken hostage, would also see 150 Palestinian detainees released from Israeli jails.
Israel previously published the names of 300 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, at least some of whom are expected to be released during the truce.
Israel has previously said the truce would be extended by a day for every 10 additional hostages released.
The deal, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, is to take effect in stages that can be extended and broadened.
“We hope this humanitarian truce will start greater work for a permanent truce,” Qatar’s al-Ansari said.
He also announced humanitarian aid would start to enter “as soon as possible” after the suspension of hostilities.
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