Cnn
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Israel claims to have received a list of four hostages that Hamas is expected to release on Saturday as part of what would be the second series of releases as part of the cease-fire agreement concluded this month.
Hamas announced its intention to release Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag on Saturday. The four women were used in Israeli defense forces when they are kidnapping.
Israeli officials told families of the four women they intended to make the release – despite the fact that Israel expected that Arbbel Yehud, a civil hostage still held in Gaza, is included in The release of Saturday.
Israel had demanded that Hamas release Yehud, a 29 -year -old woman who was taken hostage at home in the Kibbutz Nir Oz, as part of the next hostage release, said a source close to the file. Yehud would be owned by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, not by Hamas, which could be a factor in the calendar of his release.
It was not yet clear on Friday if Israel would accept the list provided by Hamas, given the absence of Yehud. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an assessment of the situation by telephone with the country’s Minister of Defense and the country’s negotiation teams, a official said in CNN.
Later in the day, families were informed that Israel intended to release them.
The three hostages released in the first phase, Emily Damari, 28, Romi Gonen, 24, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were released on Sunday. At the same time, 90 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel.
The release of the second group of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement which should last another five weeks. In these terms, 26 additional Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners should be released during this period.
Hamas and its allies still hold 91 people kidnapped in Israel on October 7, 2023. There are also three additional hostages selected captive since 2014 and which are still in Gaza. A total of 251 people were expelled from Israel on October 7, 2023.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Israeli troops will withdraw from certain parts of Gaza and the volume of humanitarian aid flowing to Gaza will be increased.
This is a story in development and will be updated.