Gaza hostage release will not start before Friday, Israel and US say

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire for at least four days, but start time of the truce has not been officially announced

Public broadcaster Kan reported there was a 24-hour delay because the deal was not signed by Hamas and mediator Qatar

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Women hold photos of people abducted by Hamas militants outside the Tel Aviv museum on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:34am, 23 Nov 2023Updated: 4:36pm, 23 Nov 2023

The release of hostages under a temporary truce between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants will not happen before Friday, Israel’s national security adviser and the US said, dashing hopes of relatives that some would be freed on Thursday.

Israel and Hamas agreed early on Wednesday to a ceasefire in Gaza for at least four days, to let in humanitarian aid and free at least 50 hostages held by militants in the enclave in exchange for at least 150 Palestinians jailed in Israel.

The starting time of the truce and release of hostages captured by Hamas during its October 7 attack on Israel had yet to be officially announced. An Egyptian security source said mediators sought a start time of 10am on Thursday.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari said an announcement on the beginning of the truce could come in the next few hours. Qatar has been mediating in the negotiations on the truce.

An Israeli soldier in a Humvee in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

“The negotiations on the release of our hostages are advancing and continuing constantly,” Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in a statement released by the prime minister’s office.