Hamas has released the names of hostages it intends to free tomorrow. A spokesperson for Hamas told Al Jazeera that the release will involve four Israeli female soldiers abducted in Gaza during Hamas’s attack nearly eighteen months ago.
The Israeli government confirmed receipt of the names and stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office would respond later today. According to The Times of Israel, Hamas’s selection appears to contradict truce agreements, which stipulate that female civilians should be released first, followed by female soldiers, then elderly and seriously ill hostages.
The Israeli government has requested media outlets not to disclose the women’s names until the families of hostages in Gaza have been informed, although Al Jazeera has published them. This marks the second release of hostages since the truce began.
On Sunday, the first three hostages, all civilian women, were freed. On the same day, Israel released ninety Palestinian prisoners, primarily women and minors.
Source: NOS