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By Michael D. Carroll
Breaking News Editor
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The Israel Prime Minister's Office announced Friday the list of 33 hostages slated for release in the initial phase of the Israel-Hamas hostage deal. The release is contingent on the Israeli Cabinet's approval of the agreement.
What's the Context
Now the hostages due to be released have been named, their families, friends and official responders including medics and other respite staff can begin the process of preparing for their arrival. The release of the names marks not only the beginning of the end of the anguished wait by their loved-ones for the hostages' arrival home, but represents a significant milestone in the complex agreement toward a ceasefire in Gaza, which has suffered tremendous destruction in the past 15 months of fighting.
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The hostages to be released are:
Liri Albag, Itzhak Elgarat, Karina Ariev, Ohad Ben Ami, Ariel Bibas, Yarden Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Shiri Bibas, Agam Berger, Gonen Romi, Daniella Gilboa, Emily Damari, Sagui Dekel Chen, Iair Horn, Omer Wenkert, Alexandre Sasha Troufanov, Arbel Yehoud, Ohad Yahalomi, Eliya Cohen, Or Levy, Naama Levy, Oded Lifshitz, Gadi Moshe Mozes, Avraham (Avera) Mengisto, Shlomo Mantzur , Keith Samuel Sigal, Tsachi Idan, Ofer Kalderon, Tal Shoham, Doron Steinbrecher, Omer Shem Tov, Hisham Al-Sayed , Eli Sharabi.
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What to Know
A statement published by the Prime Minister's Office on Friday read "Pending approval by the Security Cabinet and the Government, and the agreement taking effect, the release of the hostages will be implemented according to the planned framework in which the hostages are expected to be released on Sunday."
Under the terms of the newly approved ceasefire-hostage deal, the release of hostages will follow a carefully managed process, reports The Jerusalem Post. For each phase, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office will issue an official announcement with the names of the hostages to be released only after they are safely received by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and their families have been notified.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday that the deal to return the hostages held in Gaza is going ahead, after his office previously pointed to a "last-minute crisis" caused by Hamas.
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Why Hasn't the Ceasefire Deal Been Approved Yet?
Netanyahu's office said on Thursday that Hamas reneged on a prior agreement to grant Israel input on which prisoners convicted of murder would be released in exchange for hostages. This reversal is believed to have caused a delay in the Israeli Cabinet's approval of the ceasefire deal.
In addition to the hostage exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel, the deal seeks to pause ongoing fighting, providing an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza. This arrangement offers a potential, albeit temporary, respite from the prolonged violence that has devastated the region.
How Did the Current Conflict Start?
Israel attributes the widespread destruction in Gaza to Iran-backed Hamas, which it holds responsible for sparking the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack. The assault killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 250 others abducted, with 100 still missing with many feared dead.
Israel's offensive has led to over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which reports that more than half the casualties were women and children. The ministry does not specify how many of the deceased were militants.
Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 Hamas fighters but has not provided evidence to substantiate the figure. The Israeli military has released footage showing Hamas utilizing residential areas, including homes, schools, and mosques, for tunnels and rocket launchers, allegations that highlight the complexities of the conflict.
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What People Are Saying
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said "We are fully committed to fulfill our own commitments and we are expecting that others to fulfill their own commitments."
Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, said the militant group "is committed to the ceasefire agreement, which was announced by the mediators."
Israel's Prime Minister's Office said in its statement on Friday "The State of Israel is committed to achieving all of the objectives of the war including the return of all of our hostages, the living and the deceased."
Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party who are Netanyahu's coalition partners in government, said the ceasefire was "reckless" and would "destroy all of Israel's achievements."
What Happens Next
Netanyahu and his Security Cabinet have convened on Friday, in a meeting where the government is expected to approve the agreed-upon terms.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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