Tribune News Network
Doha
Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari has announced that after a delay in implementing the release of prisoners from both sides on the second day of the four-day truce, the obstacles were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian communications with both sides.
"After a delay in implementing the release of prisoners from both sides, the obstacles were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian communications with both sides,” Dr Al Ansari said in a post on X platform.
"Tonight 39 Palestinian women and children will be released in exchange for the release of 13 Israeli hostages from Gaza,” he added.
He said this will be in addition to the release of a further seven civilians, which is separate to the temporary truce agreement deal. Those released from Israeli prisons included 33 children and 6 women, while those released from Gaza included 8 children and 5 women, in addition to 7 foreigners who were released on the second day of four-day truce, he added.
Qatar’s hope is that the momentum of the last 48 hours can be sustained to extend the pause once the current deal expires and lead to further discussions about a more sustainable truce to end the violence.
Hamas has delayed the release of the second round of captives, accusing Israel of violating the truce deal.
On the first day of the truce, 39 Palestinian women and children that have been released from Israeli prisons were reunited with their families.
Dr Al Ansari said that the first 13 hostages, all women and children, have been reunited with their families in Israel, adding that they were supervised safely out of Gaza by the International Red Cross as part of the implementation of the Humanitarian Pause. In addition, 10 Thai citizens and a Filipino citizen were also handed to the International Red Crescent as part of ongoing mediation.
The second day of the humanitarian pause in Gaza saw a cessation of hostilities, with a larger flow of trucks loaded with relief supplies and fuel continuing through the Rafah border crossing.