Second group of Gaza hostages set to be released after delay regarding truce agreement

Sources say that Hamas’ armed wing held back their hostages until Israel allowed aid trucks to enter northern Gaza

By Kelly McClure

Nights & Weekends Editor

Published November 25, 2023 4:50PM (EST)

Thousands of people and the families of hostages hold up their mobile phones to sing the national anthem during the ‘50 Days of Hell’ rally in support of the 212 hostages that are still being held by Hamas. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Thousands of people and the families of hostages hold up their mobile phones to sing the national anthem during the ‘50 Days of Hell’ rally in support of the 212 hostages that are still being held by Hamas. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

After a four-day cease-fire that began on Friday morning, followed by the release of thirteen Israeli civilians and eleven  foreign nationals, a second batch of Gaza hostage releases was delayed on Saturday due to a dispute over the terms of a truce agreement, according to Qatari government officials.

Per reporting from Politico, "Hamas’ armed wing said it would not release the second round of hostages until Israel held up its side of the deal: allowing aid trucks to enter the besieged northern Gaza region." Following this hitch, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “held an assessment of the situation to verify that the second phase is proceeding as planned” and Israel maintains that the agreement was not violated.

“After a delay, obstacles to release of prisoners were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian contacts with both sides, and 39 Palestinian civilians will be released tonight, while 13 Israeli hostages will leave Gaza in addition to 4 foreigners,” Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari wrote in a message posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday afternoon. 


MORE FROM Kelly McClure