Hamas halts release of hostages

Gaza November 25, 2023 (QJ) – The release of the second group of hostages by Hamas was delayed on Saturday after a dispute arose over the amount of aid entering Gaza, according to US and Israeli officials.

Hamas said it was waiting for more aid vehicles to enter the area before facilitating the transfer, sources told reporters.

An Egyptian spokesman said earlier that 340 aid vehicles had arrived from Egypt, but had not yet crossed into Gaza, as they had to be inspected by Israel before they were given permission to inter Gaza.

A spokesman for the Rafah border crossing told reporters that 133 vehicles have entered Gaza so far, instead of the agreed-upon 200 vehicles every day. When asked about the delay, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said it had to do with a slow technical process.

Earlier today, Hecht told reporters that he expects 13 hostages to be released today, in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has said it will not release any more hostages until the agreed number of aid vehicles is allowed to enter Gaza.