Hamas is expected to release Israeli hostages in two stages beginning at 8 AM Monday, as Israel confirms preparations for the first exchanges under the Gaza ceasefire brokered by the U.S.
Israel said on Sunday that hostages held in Gaza are expected to be freed early Monday as part of the first phase of a ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas under a plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Israel Hayom, Hamas will release the Israeli hostages in two batches, with the first group expected to be freed starting at 8 AM local time. “Israel is ready to receive hostages if they are released earlier,” said Shosh Bedrosian, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Bedrosian added that Israel will free Palestinian detainees once the hostages are safely returned from Gaza. Under the current arrangement, 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 detained since October 2023, will be released in exchange for 48 Israeli hostages, including 20 alive.
The truce marks the implementation of the first phase of a 20-point plan unveiled by President Trump on 29 September. The proposal seeks to secure a full ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the release of all Israeli captives, and oversee a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave. The first phase took effect on Friday.
A second phase of the plan calls for the formation of a new governing mechanism in Gaza without Hamas participation, the deployment of a multinational force, and the disarmament of the group.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” have held discussions with Dubai‑based logistics giant DP World over potential roles in managing supply chains and infrastructure projects in Gaza, Reuters reports, citing the Financial Times, which reported on Tuesday.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war suffered a setback on Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled a planned envoy visit to Pakistan for talks, even as parallel regional diplomacy continued and military tensions escalated in Lebanon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
An additional consignment of Russian wheat has been dispatched to Armenia via Azerbaijan transit routes on 24 April, continuing a series of deliveries using regional rail corridors.
France and Armenia are set to strengthen cooperation in defence, technology and the economy during a state visit by President Emmanuel Macron, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister has confirmed.
Around 14% of Central Asia’s population - about 12 million people - are facing food shortages, according to the United Nations. The issue was a central focus at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana.
Türkiye sent six trucks carrying critical medical supplies to Iran on Thursday, reinforcing humanitarian assistance amid challenging cross-border conditions.
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