Handover of Israeli hostages set to begin in Gaza, as Hamas releases names of those being freed
A morning of hope for well-wishers – and busy logistics for officialspublished at 05:11 BST
Yolande Knell
Middle East correspondent, in Tel Aviv
Image source, Getty Images
Through the night, well-wishers – some carrying Israeli flags – have been waiting for news in Hostages Square.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, all 20 living hostages should now be released to the Red Cross. They’ll then be driven to a military base to reunite with their families, or, if needed, taken immediately to a hospital.
After the hostages are freed, Israel is set to release about 2,000 Palestinian detainees. They include 250 prisoners serving life sentences as well as about 1,700 seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge.
An Israeli official said that an international task force would start work to locate the remains of dead hostages who aren’t returned within 72 hours.
The past day has seen a promised surge in aid reaching devastated Gaza. The UN says that along with its partners, it’s distributed hundreds of thousands of hot meals and bread.
Armed Hamas police have again been out on patrol with deadly shootouts reported with Palestinian gangs.
