The deal between Hamas and Israel for the release of hostages held by the armed group when it invaded the country last month is expected to move forward after initial fear of a breakdown in negotiations.
According to The New York Times, Hamas initially said it would halt the deal with Israel, stating that the latter had failed to honour key parts of the agreement brokered by Qatar.
However, on Monday night, Hamas appeared to have backtracked on the threat to halt the truce as the group announced on its official Telegram channel that it would resume the release of hostages.
Hamas made the decision after Qatar and Egypt, who are important actors in the ongoing four-day truce, reassured the group of Israel’s commitment “to all the conditions detailed in the agreement,” the Times reported.
On Friday, Hamas freed 13 Israeli hostages alongside 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino as part of the agreement between both sides and in return, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas has agreed to release 50 Israeli women and children during the four-day pause in hostilities, which began on Friday, while Israel would free 150 Palestinian women and minors from its prisons.
