A ceasefire deal has been agreed

[gloriagloria]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3rwqpj70ert

I really hope this is the beginning of peace and prosperity for both sides.

Seen pictures.

The issue with releasing Arbel Yehud was supposedly due to her being held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Interestingly, that same PIJ had members present as Hamas are parading the four women to be released.

Which ones were the PIJ? Were they wearing a different colour headband?

Yeah their headwear has beige/yellow rather than green like Hamas.

As per Al Jazeera, Hamas have now managed to resolve whatever the issue preventing them from releasing Arbel Yehud today was, once Israel told them people wouldn't be returning to North Gaza otherwise due to the ceasefire breach. See the 11.02 GMT update

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/25/live-israel-hamas-exchange-of-gaza-captives-for-jailed-palestinians-due

They are now saying she'll be released next weekend. Arbel is the only remaining female civilian hostage in Gaza who's known to be alive.

70 prisoners have been released to Egypt. How does that work if they are not Egyptian nationals?

According to BBC news they will be released to Egypt and then deported from there to countries like Qatar and Turkey so I assume this has been agreed with these countries during negotiations

Article here suggested Algeria, Tunisia and Turkey.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/01/25/seventy-freed-and-deported-palestinian-prisoners-reach-egypt

There are also some who've refused release and are staying put in prison, which I hadn't realised was an option.

Can I just ask: would the other hostages have info on ones waiting to be released? I can't stop thinking about shiri bibas and her kids. Maybe the freed hostages would know if they are alive or not?

If they were held together, then possibly. I'm not sure if that's something the government would publish publicly right now though. The onus to show If they are alive or their condition is on Hamas.

My impression has been that they weren't held together and that different groups of hostages have been held by different political groups in Gaza, so information may not have been accessible.

Ok thanks

Is that not a breach of the agreement, keeping a hostage back. Israel could have kept 40 prisoners back. Maybe 40 of the 95 murderers or terrorists. I imagine that hamas will require another 40 terrorists for her release now.

It’s a very minor one if it is, Israel having shot and killed over a dozen Palestinian civilians, including children, since the cease fire are more serious breaches.

Naturally everyone who dies is a child or an innocent adult. Sadly. Hamas are at the laundrette keeping their uniforms and bandanas clean or ensuring they are well rested and fed, ready for their parades during release of 19 and 20 year old kidnapped females.

“Sadly”? I’d rather Hamas be washing uniforms and doing parades than shooting Israelis- solider or hostages. So long as the ceasefire lasts, the hostages that are alive have the best chance of staying alive and coming home.

Unless IDF accidentally shoots some more hostages by mistaking them for Palestinian civilians…

Are you saying children and innocent adults haven't been murdered by the IDF? Or what point are you trying to make?

Trump is suggesting "cleaning out" Gaza.

Trump suggests his plan for Gaza Strip is to ‘clean out the whole thing’ | CNN Politics
The plan he is floating is to displace the population of Gaza to Jordan and Egypt. Very concerning for all involved (although not entirely surprising - his son-law has suggested this before). Jordan and Egypt will strongly resist, but I presume it depends upon what pressure he is able to exert.

I'm worried about what this statement will have on the ceasefire - if Hamas and the Palestinians see this as the future they are moving towards there is little impetus for peace.

So a little bit of ethnic cleansing?

Another three hostages are being released today. I have just seen Agam Berger who is a soldier has been released to the red Cross.

Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes are also being released and five Thai nationals that were held hostage.

BBC have got live coverage

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cr53e7e7yg3t

Large crowds gather as Islamic Jihad group releases hostages by Sinwar' destroyed home.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/large-islamic-jihad-convoy-seen-heading-to-release-site-in-southern-gaza/

Arbel looks like a shell of herself. Such a good job the Israeli government were able to enforce her return.

I am watching the live release. Gadi Moses is 80 years old, and he is being dragged through the crowd. He looks petrified. WTF is going on. This is not a safe release. Where is Arbel Yehud? What a revolting spectacle and form of entertainment. The crowds aren't allowing the Red Cross vehicles to drive away.

It's absolutely disgusting to have those thugs treat an elderly gentleman like that. I'd ask if they'd ever heard of having respect for their elders, but that's clearly an alien concept for them.