This news article reports on the progress of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which includes the planned release of three more Israeli hostages. It also covers the US State Department's announcement of a massive $7 billion arms sale to Israel, including thousands of bombs and missiles. The article discusses the implications of both developments, including the ongoing debate surrounding the relocation of Gaza's population and the potential for further escalation in the region.
Hamas has identified three more Israel i hostages it plans to free as part of the fragile ceasefire agreement, a sign the deal was progressing even as US and Israel i officials continued calls to relocate Gaza ’s population after the war. The three civilian men, captured by Hamas during its October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel , are set to be freed on Saturday, in the fifth exchange of Israel i hostages for Palestinians jailed in Israel .
An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive material, confirmed the hostages scheduled for release were: Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34.Hostages Family Forum via AP Israel is set to release 183 Palestinian prisoners shortly after to fulfil its side of the agreement, according to the Hamas-linked prisoners’ office in Gaza. The terms of the deal’s first six-week phase call for Hamas to gradually free a total of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.Sharabi, a farmer from the kibbutz of Eshkol, lived with his wife and daughters on a communal farm that was one of the hardest hit in the Hamas attack. Militants killed his wife, Lianne, and their teenage daughters. Ben Ami is a father of three and the kibbutz accountant. His wife, who was also captured, was released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023. Levy, a computer programmer from the city of Rishon Lezion, was pulled by militants from a bomb shelter near the Nova music festival in southern Israel. His wife was killed during the attack. The couple’s toddler son has been under the care of family members.Hamas has so far released 18 hostages, including five Thai citizens captured in Israel during the attack. Last week, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners in accordance with the deal.The announcement came as the US State Department formally told Congress of a plan to sell more than $US7 billion ($11 billion) in weapons to Israel, including thousands of bombs and missiles, and just two days after Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Oval Office in Washington. The massive arms sale is another step in Trump’s effort to bolster Israel’s weapons stocks. In late January, soon after he took office, he lifted the hold on sending 900-kilogram bombs to Israel. The Biden administration had paused a shipment of the bombs over concerns about civilian casualties, particularly during an Israeli assault on Rafa in southern Gaza. A Palestinian child carries water along the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip.According to the State Department, two sales were sent to Congress on Friday. One is for $US6.75 billion in an array of munitions, guidance kits and other related equipment. It includes 166 small-diameter bombs, 2800 227-kg bombs, and thousands of guidance kits, fuses and other bomb components and support equipment. Those deliveries would begin this year. The other arms package is for 3000 Hellfire missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $US660 million. Deliveries of the missiles are expected to begin in 2028. Details of the planned hostage exchange came as Trump continued talking up his widely criticised proposal to remove all Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop it as an international travel destination.The idea, which Trump now characterised as a “real estate transaction”, has been roundly rejected by the region’s Arab governments and by Palestinians themselves, who say forcing them from their homes would constitute ethnic cleansing. But Trump insisted that his idea “had been very well received”. After calling originally for “permanent” resettlement of the Palestinians, his newest comments left the question of duration unresolved. “We don’t want to see everybody move back and then move out in 10 years” because of continued unrest, he said. Israeli forces have withdrawn from most of Gaza, as specified by the ceasefire agreement, but remain in border areas. The military has warned Palestinians to avoid areas where troops are operating and has opened fire on people accused of violating the terms of the agreement.Negotiators have yet to agree on terms for the deal’s second phase, in which Hamas would release dozens more hostages in return for more prisoners and a lasting ceasefire. The Palestinian prisoners’ office said that of those set for release on Saturday, 18 are serving life sentences, 54 have long-term sentences, and 111 are Gazans who were detained after the October 7 attack
HAMAS ISRAEL CEASEFIRE HOSTAGES ARMS SALE US MIDDLE EAST GAZA
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel and Hamas Reach Ceasefire Deal Hinging on Release of Israeli HostagesA ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas negotiators hangs on the release of 33 Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza since the October 7 attacks. The deal, brokered in Qatar, also includes the repatriation of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Read more »
Moment three Israeli hostages freed to families in start of Israel-Hamas ceasefireThe three female hostages released by Hamas to Israel as part of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are 'safe and sound', the country's defence force has confirmed.
Read more »
Hamas Agrees to Release Israeli Hostages as Israel Allows Gaza ReturnIn a breakthrough development, Hamas has agreed to release three Israeli hostages, including civilian Arbel Yehud, soldier Agam Berger, and another unnamed individual. Simultaneously, Israel has agreed to allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza starting Monday. The agreement, secured through intensive negotiations led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, paves the way for the release of all remaining hostages and the formal initiation of peace talks.
Read more »
Gaza Ceasefire To Proceed Despite Last-Minute DelayA planned ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to go ahead despite a last-minute delay caused by a 'loose end' that needs to be tied up, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The delay arose after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halted a cabinet meeting to ratify the agreement, claiming Hamas had threatened not to uphold its terms. Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim refuted this, stating the delay was due to 'games' being played by the Israeli government and that the agreement was already approved by Hamas.
Read more »
Three Female Hostages Released in First Stage of Israel-Hamas CeasefireThe first phase of a three-stage ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel saw the release of three Israeli female hostages. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated their transfer back to Israel. The agreement, lasting six weeks, includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Read more »
Antisemitic Attack Rocks Sydney Amidst Israeli-Hamas Ceasefire HopesSky News Australia reports on an antisemitic attack in Sydney while a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brings hope for peace. Steve Price interviews the newly elected Victorian Opposition Leader.
Read more »