Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Israel believes Hamas will start hostage release in coming hours
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

People gather around a vehicle of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Saraya Square in western Gaza City for the handover of three Israeli hostages on January 19, 2025. (Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP)
Israel believes that in the coming hours, Hamas will begin preparations in Gaza to release the four hostages, a defense source says.
Hamas will freeing soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag, who were kidnapped by terrorists from the Nahal Oz post during the October 7, 2023, onslaught.