US officials have compiled a working list of 10 hostages poised for release from Gaza on the first day of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
However, uncertainties loom over the fate of three American hostages, including 3-year-old Abigail Edan, as per CNN.
Ceasefire Deal Reveals Gaza Hostage Release Details
TOPSHOT - People hold signs as they gather to remember and ask for the safe return of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Palestinian militant group Hamas after the October 7 attack in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2023. Thousands of civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis, have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip entered southern Israel in an unprecedented attack triggering a war declared by Israel on Hamas with retaliatory bombings on Gaza.
The compiled list, proposed by Hamas during earlier negotiations, includes crucial details such as gender, nationality, and age of the individuals marked for release, though their identities remain undisclosed.
The intricate deal stipulates a daily release of hostages handed over to the Red Cross, with the first 50 expected to exit through Egypt.
The initial two days of the hostage release are designated as a "testing period" to ensure the smooth execution of the agreed-upon mechanisms. By day three, intense discussions are anticipated regarding the potential second phase of the hostage release beyond the initial group of 50.
"The first swap is the most crucial to see that the mechanism is working as was agreed," emphasized a source familiar with the situation.
Earlier expectations suggested that the first swap would occur on Thursday. However, the Israeli National Security Council later announced a delay, pushing the release to Friday.
Talks to release the hostages are ongoing, with the process expected to commence according to the original agreement between the involved parties.
A senior US official stated that the delay was necessary to iron out details related to the locations and routes of the hostages, along with logistical considerations. The decision to wait an extra day aimed to minimize potential issues and was made collaboratively with Israel, Qatar, and Egypt, with US consultation and agreement.
Over the four-day pause, 50 Israeli hostages, including those with dual nationalities, are slated for release, with a minimum of 10 hostages to be released each day. Simultaneously, 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are set to be released in four stages over the same period, according to The Medialine.
Read Also: Qatar Says Truce to Begin 07:00 on Nov. 24 - At Least 3 Americans Included in Prisoner Swap
Biden Administration's Hope for American Hostages
The Israeli Cabinet Secretariat outlined that every evening before the next day's release, Israel and Hamas will provide the Red Cross with a list of hostage and prisoner names slated for release.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby acknowledged the deal as a "ray of hope," cautioning against taking Hamas's statements at face value. Three Americans are among the 53 women and children eligible for release.
The Biden Administration expressed hope that Americans would be among those released, offering a glimmer of hope in the ongoing conflict. The agreement involves the staged release of 53 women and children in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners, with the first releases delayed from Thursday to Friday.
Among those eligible for release are three Americans, including 4-year-old Avigail Idan of Kfar Aza, who experienced a harrowing ordeal during the Hamas attack on the kibbutz.
Kirby, a retired US Navy Admiral, outlined plans to increase aid to Gaza, acknowledging the significance of the release of the initial 50 hostages. Given Hamas's history, he stressed the need for vigilant monitoring and highlighted efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, including food, water, medicine, and fuel critical for essential facilities.
Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and abductions, set the backdrop for the ceasefire and hostage deal. Kirby emphasized the importance of continued US military assistance to Israel to counter the existential threat posed by Hamas.
As hopes for the release of hostages were dashed on Thursday, a temporary truce between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants remains in place until Friday.
The delicate negotiations between the parties indicate a complex path toward achieving a lasting resolution. Further announcements are anticipated in the coming hours as mediators seek a formal start time for the truce and the release of hostages, South China Morning Post reported.
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