Israel names hostages to be released next, including Israeli-Germans

Tel Aviv/Gaza, Jan 30, (dpa/GNA) – Palestinian extremist group Hamas, has passed on the names of the next three hostages to be released from the Gaza Strip on Thursday, as part of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.

One of the hostages to be released in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners, is Arbel Yehud, who holds both Israeli and German citizenship, as well as female Israeli soldier, Agam Berger.

In addition, Gadi Moses, who media reports say also has German citizenship, will be the first male hostage to be freed under the ceasefire agreement, that put a halt to fighting on January 19, after over 15 months of war.

In an initial six-week phase of the agreement, 33 Israeli hostages are to be released in exchange for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners, held in Israeli jails.

Seven hostages, all of them women, have already been released under the deal. Another three are set to be released on Saturday.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz, reported that five Thai workers abducted from Israel might also be released.

Among the 90 remaining hostages held in Gaza are eight Thai nationals, one Nepalese national and one Tanzanian national.

According to the ceasefire deal, Hamas has to notify Israel 24 hours in advance, who it is releasing before handing over the hostages.

GNA