From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Report claims prisoner releases may begin within half-hour
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleThe Palestinian Quds News outlet reports that Hamas expects Israel to start freeing prisoners under the hostage release-ceasefire agreement by 12:30 a.m.
The network reports that Hamas received a signal from international mediators regarding the impending release. There is no confirmation of the report from any official sources.
Israel had been expected to release the prisoners earlier in the day, but says it has delayed the move until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finishes security consultations regarding the return of the remaining Israeli hostages.
No reason has been given for the delay but it comes amid anger over the fate of hostages Shiri Bibas and her two small sons, whose bodies were returned on Thursday and late Friday. Israel says they were murdered in captivity.
The Times of Israel Community.