Austrian Hamas Hostage Tal Shoham Before Release

As relatives informed the APA, they were notified by the Israeli authorities that Shoham is on a list of six hostages that Hamas will release on Saturday. "We can confirm that we have been informed that the release is apparently planned for this Saturday," said a statement from the family.

Hamas plans to release a total of six living hostages on Saturday, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya announced on Tuesday. According to the ceasefire agreement, Hamas was initially supposed to release three living hostages on Saturday. Al-Hayya also said that on Thursday the bodies of four hostages should be handed over. The remaining bodies should be handed over in the sixth week of the ceasefire, said Al-Hayya. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of the coming week.

Relatives: "Hopeful, But Remain Cautious"

The move is a continuation of efforts for a successful course of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. He also spoke of preparations for talks on a second phase of the ceasefire. In return, Israel must release Palestinian prisoners as agreed. According to Hamas, among the six living hostages to be released, besides Shoham, are also two Israelis who have been held in the Gaza Strip for about a decade.

The ceasefire agreement was on the brink more than once - most recently because Hamas accused Israel of not allowing enough aid into the Gaza Strip. "We are hopeful, but we remain cautious and pray that Tal returns safely," Shoham's relatives further stated. They are "incredibly grateful" for Austria's support in "these difficult times".

Since the beginning of the ceasefire in the Gaza war on January 19, the Islamists have released 19 hostages in several rounds. Additionally, five Thais kidnapped from Israel were freed independently of the agreement. The multi-stage agreement between Israel and Hamas provides that during a first, six-week phase, a total of 33 hostages will be gradually released in exchange for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners. Of these, 14 abductees, including eight deceased, are still in Hamas's custody.

(APA/Red)

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