Release of hostages to begin at 10 a.m. daily, reports Israeli media

JERUSALEM

The release of Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip would begin at 10 a.m. local time (0800GMT) each day after an exchange of lists of people to be released by each side and handed over through the Red Cross, the Israeli media reported citing an unnamed official.

"According to the outlines of the deal, Israel will receive each evening a list of the hostages to be released the next day through the Red Cross," the Israel Broadcasting Authority reported on Wednesday, citing the source, who added that actions to release hostages in the Gaza Strip would begin at 10 a.m. local time each day.

The source added, "In response, Israel will provide the organization with a list of the security prisoners (Palestinian detainees) to be released the next day.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on a four-day humanitarian pause, with the start date to be announced within 24 hours.

According to the Qatar-mediated agreement, the deal would include a four-day cease-fire, the entry of 300 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into Gaza, and the release of 50 Israelis held by Hamas in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.

“The families of the expected released abductees will not be notified this evening (Wednesday) to avoid causing them concern, in case Hamas does not fulfill its promises,” the Israeli media outlet said, quoting the official source.

"The released hostages will be handed over to the Red Cross, then enter Israel through the Rafah crossing only then will Israel release the prisoners (Palestinian detainees)," he said.

Concerning the Palestinian prisoners covered by the agreement, the official told the media outlet, "Israel will determine each day the Palestinian prisoners to be released from prisons, at a rate of three prisoners for each Israeli hostage."

He said any use of firearms would be considered a violation of the agreement, but it is not certain that the agreement will be terminated.

On Wednesday, the Israeli Ministry of Justice released the names of 300 Palestinian prisoners, including minors and women, who meet the criteria for release under the swap agreement.

Early in the day, the Israeli government approved a humanitarian pause agreement with Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala