After days of tension which called into question the integrity of the truce in force since January 19 in Gaza, Hamas finally agreed to release three new binational Israeli hostages this Saturday, February 15, in accordance with the terms of the ceasefire . The start of the second phase of negotiations seems to be late. But could start “next week”, according to sources in Hamas.
Info to remember
⇒ Hamas has released three new Israeli hostages in Gaza
⇒ The second phase of the truce could start “next week”
⇒ A finish car burnt down in Lebanon
11:20 am
Four Palestinians released by Israel hospitalized in the West Bank
The Red Crescent announced, in a statement, having taken care of their hospitalization four ex-Palestinian children among those released by Israel this late morning in an occupied West Bank, immediately after their arrival in Ramallah.
10:30 am
Palestinian prisoner buses leave Israel
In response to the release of the three Israeli hostages, more than a dozen buses carrying Palestinian prisoners left Ktziot prison at the end of the morning in southern Israel. In total, 369 Palestinian detainees should be released. Most are sent to the Gaza Strip from the Ktziot penitentiary. Another bus conveying Palestinian detainees left the Israeli military prison in Ofer, in an occupied West Bank, bound for Ramallah.
9:20 am
Three new hostages released by Hamas
After days of blocking and jeopardizing the truce, Hamas fighters released three Israeli hostages this Saturday, February 15 in the Gaza Strip. After almost 500 days of captivity, a 29-year-old Israeli-Russian, a 46-year-old Israeli-Argentinian and a 36-year-old Israeli-American were exhibited in Khan Younès on a podium, surrounded by armed and hooded fighters of Hamas and Islamic jihad, then were entrusted to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Their liberation comes when US Secretary of State Mario Rubio is expected this Saturday evening in Israel. Egypt and Qatar played the mediators to safeguard the truce, after threats from Hamas to suspend the releases, and of Israel to resume war, the two camps accusing violations of the ceasefire -Feu entered into force on January 19. Out of 251 people then taken hostage, 73 are still in Gaza, including at least 35 dead, according to the Israeli army. The CICR said to itself “very worried about the living conditions” of the captives after having called for the liberations to take place in a “worthy” way.
8:30 am
The second phase of the truce “early next week”?
“We expect the second phase of the negotiations on the ceasefire to start next week, and the mediators will continue the discussions on this subject,” said a Hamas official on Friday evening. Another source close to negotiations told AFP that “mediators had informed Hamas that they hoped to start the second phase of negotiations next week in Doha” in Qatar.
In accordance with the ceasefire agreement concluded under the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, indirect talks aimed at approaching the details of the second phase were to start on February 3, but they are have never started. After the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, the second phase is supposed to allow the release of all hostages and the final end of the war. Before a final phase devoted to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in ruins.
6:30 am
The Lebanese President wants to punish those responsible for the attack on the UN
Lebanese president Joseph Aoun promised, this Saturday, February 15, to punish those responsible for the attack on a convoy of the UN force in Lebanon (Finul), who notably injured the outgoing assistant commander of the Finul. Joseph Aoun “condemned the attack” and “stressed that the attackers would be punished,” said the presidency on X, adding that “the security forces would not show any indulgence towards anyone who will try to disrupt stability and the civil peace “.
6:00
A car in the finite burnt down in Lebanon, the UN claims an investigation
A car from the United Nations strength in Lebanon (Finul) was burnt down on Friday, February 14, on the evening, on the road leading to Beirut International Airport which was blocked by supporters of the Hezbollah movement, injuring an officer. The army was deployed around a charred car bearing the acronym of the UN, a few tens of meters from Hezbollah supporters who had closed the road to the airport. The identity of the people who set fire to the vehicle was not immediately known. An attack immediately condemned “firmly” by the Lebanese authorities. Hezbollah did not react.
A few hours after the incident, the UN force demanded “a complete and immediate investigation on the part of the Lebanese authorities and that all those responsible are brought to justice”. The Finulus also denounced a “blatant violation of international law” which can be assimilated to a “war crime”. “We are shocked by this scandalous attack against peacekeepers who work to restore security and stability in southern Lebanon during this difficult period,” added strength.