Hamas to free 11 hostages

Israel announced the release of 11 hostages, including five Thais, from Gaza as part of a fragile ceasefire.

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JERUSALEM:

Israel said on Wednesday that 11 more hostages held in Gaza, including five Thais, would be freed over two days this week as part of a fragile Gaza ceasefire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had received a list from Hamas of eight hostages to be freed on Thursday, including the Thais, and another three, all men, to be released on Saturday.

The announcement came shortly after Hamas officials had accused Israel of delaying aid deliveries to Gaza and jeopardising the agreement.

The truce hinges on the release of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, in exchange for 1,900 Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

Hamas has so far released seven hostages, with 290 prisoners freed in exchange.

"Israel received the list of hostages who are supposed to be released from Hamas captivity tomorrow," the Israeli premier's office said.

Israel said a total of eight hostages, three Israelis and five Thais, were to be freed from Gaza on Thursday.

It named the three to be released on Thursday as Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger and Gadi Moses.

Since a ceasefire in the war in Gaza took effect on January 19, truckloads of aid have been allowed into the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

But two senior Hamas officials accused Israel of slowing down aid deliveries, with one citing items key to Gaza's recovery such as fuel, tents, heavy machinery and other equipment.