„Hamas“ leader Khalil al-Haya announced today that the Palestinian group will release six live hostages on Saturday, the Associated Press reported, BTA reports.
These will be the last hostages to be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Initially, three hostages were expected to be released on Saturday, but their number has been increased, the AP notes.
Al-Haya made the announcement in a pre-recorded video, and the information was also confirmed by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, Israel and „Hamas“ have not yet reached an agreement on the second and more complex phase of the negotiations. It envisages the release of dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, the AP reports.