Israel to begin allowing heavy equipment, mobile homes into Gaza, wants 6 live hostages freed

A senior Israeli official says Israel is to start allowing mobile homes and heavy construction equipment into Gaza in a controlled manner as it seeks to expedite the release of six living hostages.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making immense efforts to secure the release of the six living hostages that remain as part of phase one [of the hostage-ceasefire deal], and also four hostages who are not alive,” the official says.

“Under the agreement Israel agreed to allow mobile homes and construction equipment into Gaza after stringent inspections. In accordance with the negotiations and on condition Hamas upholds the agreement, Israel will begin allowing this in a controlled and phased way.”

According to the agreement, Hamas is to release four bodies on Thursday and three live hostages on Saturday.