Wednesday, February 19, 2025

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January 30, 2025 11:52 PM IST

Palestine Prisoners

Israel resumes release of Palestinian prisoners after receiving security assurances

Hours after delaying the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners due to chaotic scenes during the handover of hostages in Khan Younis, Israel confirmed that it had received security assurances from the mediators involved in the ongoing ceasefire-hostage agreement.

While announcing the delay, Israel emphasized that the prisoners would not be freed until the “safe passage” of its hostages was “guaranteed” in subsequent releases.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in collaboration with Defense Minister Israel Katz, has ordered the delay of the scheduled release of the terrorists until the safe exit of our hostages in the next phases is assured. Israel insists that the mediators ensure this,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated.

About an hour later, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the mediators had provided assurances regarding the safe exit of the hostages in the upcoming stages.

“Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand, the mediators have conveyed their commitment that the safe exit of our hostages, who are scheduled for release in the subsequent phases, has been assured,” the statement read.

“Israel stresses that lessons must be learned, and strict precautions must be observed in the coming phases to ensure the safe return of our hostages,” it added.

The delay came after chaotic scenes were witnessed during a previous hostage release. According to The Times of Israel, Arbel Yehoud was forced to walk from an Islamic Jihad vehicle to a Red Cross vehicle through a crowd of jeering onlookers. The vehicles struggled to move through the large crowd amid wailing sirens, while hundreds of heavily armed, masked gunmen surrounded the convoy and pushed back onlookers.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared details about the release of five Thai nationals and two Israeli prisoners as part of the ceasefire-hostage deal.

“Gad Moshe Mozes, Arbel Yehoud, and the five Thai nationals—Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak—have departed aboard IAF helicopters and are heading to hospitals. Gad and Arbel will be reunited with their families and receive medical treatment, while the five Thai nationals will also receive care and be accompanied by Thai government officials”, the IDF said in a post on X.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting more than 200 others. In response, Israel launched a counter-offensive against Hamas, which has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza.

Earlier, more than 100 hostages were freed during a weeklong ceasefire in November 2023.

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Last updated on: 19th February 2025