Hamas on Saturday is expected to release a fifth prisoner-hostage swap held in Gaza since October 2023 in exchange for Israel’s release of Palestinian detainees under the first phase of a fragile ceasefire deal.
It comes as US President Donald Trump’s proposal to displace Gazans raised doubts over the future of the multiphase deal. Follow our live blog for all the latest developments on the Middle East.
Key Highlights from this mornings prisoners exchange
- Hamas are voicing their concerns about Trump’s proposal to take over Gaza.
- Hamas are set to free three more Israeli prisoners, all Israeli civilian men, on Saturday. The prisoners to be released are: Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34.
- The 183 Palestinian hostages to be released by Israel include 18 people serving life sentences for allegedly committing deadly attacks, 54 serving long-term sentences and 111 Palestinians children and teenagers from Gaza who were kidnapped in the middle of the night after the October 7 attack.
- The handover of the three Israeli prisoners of wars is expected to start at 10am local time (8am London time) in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to Israeli media reports. Red Cross officials in Gaza will receive the hostages from Hamas.
Hamas, Israel set for fifth prisoner-hostage swap
Hamas sets up stage for hostage release in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah
Dozens of masked and armed Hamas fighters, some driving white pickup trucks with guns mounted on them, gathered Saturday morning at the location of the exchange in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah.
A stage has been set up at the release location and activity at the site is picking up, as crowds of civilians gather and Hamas fighters secure the area, with military vehicles carrying more fighters arriving.
Israeli medical officials prepare to receive hostages released from Gaza
Reporting from Amman, WTX News reports on Noga Tarnopolsky speaks to Dr. Hagai Levine, chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians, who also heads the medical team for the Israeli Hostages Family Forum.
Dr. Levine details some of the medical preparations in place to receive the three hostages set to be released in Gaza.
Red Cross vehicles on their way for Gaza handover
Images from Gaza’s Deir al-Balah on social media sites show a line-up of masked Hamas fighters around a stage set up for the handover of the three Israeli hostages.
The hostages are then driven to an Israeli military base on the Israel-Gaza border where they are given initial identification and medical check-ups before being taken to hospitals in Israel.
US Senate debates funding bill as deadline for government shutdown looms
EUROPEAN UPDATE
European markets open cautiously this morning.
Focus remains on energy prices and inflation trends.
Trump announces Iran deal ‘largely negotiated’ including reopening Strait of Hormuz
What’s going on?
Donald Trump announced the progress of a peace deal with Iran, stating it is “largely negotiated.” The deal includes