Live Update arrow right icon From the Liveblog of Thursday, February 13, 2025

Hamas says it will release hostages as planned, doesn’t specify how many; says it has agreed to continue with ceasefire

By Charlie Summers 13 February 2025, 12:16 pm 22 Edit
Hostage families and a women's group block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, during a protest calling for the release of those held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza on February 13, 2025 (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
Hostage families and a women's group block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, during a protest calling for the release of those held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza on February 13, 2025 (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

Hamas announces it has agreed to continue implementing the ceasefire deal and will follow through with the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners held in Israel as per the timeline outlined in the agreement.

The statement comes a day after a Hamas delegation, led by top Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo for talks with mediators.

Hamas says Egyptian and Qatari mediators promised to remove obstacles preventing the continued flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera reports that mediators affirmed their commitment to implementing the humanitarian provisions of the agreement. The network broadcasts images of trucks waiting to enter Gaza, apparently carrying mobile homes and earth-moving equipment.

On Monday, Hamas threatened to delay the release of hostages scheduled for Saturday, accusing Israel of preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the Strip, which Israel denied.

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