Hamas delivers hostages to Red Cross, claims ceasefire delay was Netanyahu’s fault

The Palestinian group Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) during a transfer that reportedly occurred at Saraya Square in Gaza City.

The ICRC has informed Israeli authorities that the condition of the three women is “good,” Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, one of the released hostages, Emily Damari, suffered serious injuries during her captivity. “Emily Damari, who was freed alongside her mother, lost two fingers after being injured by Hamas on October 7,” stated Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The women were handed gift packages by Hamas upon their release. The packages included postcards featuring images of Gaza and "certificates of release" written in Arabic and Hebrew. Footage published by the outlet showed the women emerging from a Red Cross vehicle, holding paper bags adorned with Hamas insignia.

Meanwhile, Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed that the recent ceasefire agreement, reached on January 15, could have been secured over a year ago.

“This agreement could have been concluded more than a year ago if it had aligned with the desires of [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu,” said Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for the group. His remarks were shared via a video posted on the official Telegram channel of Hamas’s military wing.

Note that, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has taken effect in Gaza, offering a much-needed reprieve to the over 2 million Palestinians living in the territory after 15 months of intense conflict. The initial six-week stage of the truce involves the release of some Israeli captives held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel. It also includes a gradual Israeli pullback to Gaza's borders and a significant expansion of humanitarian aid access to the enclave.

The agreement is structured in phases, with the first phase aiming to create momentum for subsequent stages. These later phases are expected to secure the release of all captives and establish a permanent ceasefire, bringing long-term stability to the region.

The road to this agreement has been arduous, marked by numerous setbacks and failed attempts at negotiations since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.

By Aghakazim Guliyev