There is pressure on Netanyahu’s government to resume the exchange deal
We’ve just got the news officially from the Israeli spokesman that both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz say that they are going to delay the release of these 110 Palestinian prisoners that were supposed to be released today, and that’s because of what they saw happening in Khan Younis.
Essentially, they’re saying something went wrong … that the captive was mobbed, and they will not continue this [exchange] until there are guarantees of the safe return of the captives.
It’s in everyone’s favour to continue the captive release deal. We have Steve Witkoff, the US envoy for the Middle East in Israel, who has been in what’s become known as the hostage square in Tel Aviv with the families of the captives.
He’s also been speaking to top officials, including Netanyahu in the government. So he’s essentially overseeing this and ensuring that this captive release continues to take place. So it’s a bit of pressure as well from the US.
There’s also been pressure from the captives’ families for Netanyahu to continue this process.
Palestinian prisoners to be released at 15:00 GMT: Report
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office says that the release of the prisoners, which was scheduled for today but then suspended by the Israeli government, will take place at 5pm local time.
It said that this followed a conversation with mediators.
Palestinians treated by Red Crescent outside of Ofer Prison
The PRCS says that its crews are dealing with 12 injuries in Beitunia, near the prison in the occupied West Bank where Palestinian prisoners are set to be released today.
Two people were wounded by live bullets fired by Israeli forces, two by rubber bullets and eight suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Israeli forces regularly crack down on crowds that gather at or near the prison to celebrate the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
Busses seen leaving Ofer Prison
The release of the Palestinian prisoners by Israel appears to have begun as Red Cross busses are seen leaving the prison in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli official indicates that preparations for second phase negotiations are under way: Report
Israeli journalist Barak Ravid says that Gal Hirsch, who holds the title of Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and the missing, has said that Israel is “currently in the stages of preparations for the continuation of the negotiations” towards the second phase of the ceasefire deal.
Hirsch is quoted as saying that Benjamin Netanyahu would visit President Trump and that the subsequent meetings with the US administration would “take place concurrently with the beginning of negotiations” of the second phase.
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