Egypt announced that the third day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is proceeding without any obstacles. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the region and reduce tensions. As a mediator, Egypt received a list of detainees in the Gaza Strip, including 13 Israelis. In a reciprocal gesture, they also received a list of 39 Palestinians scheduled to be released from Israeli prisons, with the exchange set to happen today.
In the latest updates concerning the prisoner issue, the Israeli army received confirmation from the International Committee of the Red Cross about the receipt of a group of 17 hostages held in the Gaza Strip. According to an Israeli military statement, based on information from the Red Cross, 14 Israeli hostages and 3 foreign nationals have been handed over to the Red Cross.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the released Israeli hostages from Gaza, including 9 minors, 4 women, and a man, were released today, Sunday. As reported by Cairo’s news channel, the third group of hostages released by Hamas included 13 Israelis and 5 citizens from other countries.
Diaa Rashwan, head of the General Authority for Information, stated that the Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire is ongoing without impediments for the third day. This success is attributed to the intensive efforts by Egypt, in cooperation with their Qatari counterparts, who have made significant contributions.
Rashwan mentioned that these joint efforts resulted in the timely commencement of the truce, overcoming obstacles faced on Saturday, and a return to implementing all agreed terms by both the Palestinian and Israeli sides. As part of these terms, the Egyptian authorities received today, Sunday, the list of detainees in the Gaza Strip, including 13 Israelis, as well as the list of Palestinians to be released from Israeli prisons, comprising 39 individuals.
Egypt also continued its significant efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, which has been ongoing throughout the conflict in the sector and is intensifying with the ongoing humanitarian ceasefire.
Rashwan revealed that the medical aid sent to the Gaza Strip until Saturday evening amounted to 2,675 tons, while food supplies totaled 9,621 tons, and water supplies reached 7,047 tons. Additionally, 82 tents and tarpaulins, along with 1,992 tons of other relief materials, were sent. A total of 788 tons of fuel were delivered by Saturday evening, and the total number of trucks that crossed from the Rafah crossing to the Gaza Strip during this period was 2,056.
Rashwan highlighted that during this period, Egypt received 353 injured individuals from Gaza, accompanied by 292 people, in addition to the crossing of 8,514 foreign nationals, dual citizens, and 1,256 Egyptians through the Rafah crossing.
As for Sunday, so far, 120 trucks have entered, including 2 with fuel and 2 with domestic cooking gas, heading to North Gaza in coordination with the United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent. These numbers are expected to increase in the coming hours.
Rashwan affirmed the continuous Egyptian efforts to expedite the transfer of humanitarian aid to help alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis for our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip.
