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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Foreigners make up majority of 50 hostages to be released by Hamas

It is noted that the released hostages will be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which will hand them over to Egypt

DUBAI, November 22. /TASS/. Most of the 50 hostages being held captive in the Gaza Strip that will be released by the Hamas movement are foreigners, Hamas Politburo member Mousa Abu Marzouk said in an interview for Al Jazeera.

"Most of the 50 hostages that will be released are foreign citizens," Abu Marzouk said.

"We have not viewed these people as hostages and saw no need to hold them from the very beginning. These are our guests and, as soon as the first ceasefire enters into effect, we will let them go," he said, adding that the released hostages will be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which will, in turn, hand them over to Egypt.

Following an hours-long special meeting late on November 21, the Israeli government approved a plan that provides for the return of at least 50 hostages from the Gaza Strip within 4 days, after which the military operation in the enclave will continue. On November 22, the Ministry of Justice of Israel published a list of 300 Palestinian hostages that may be released under the agreement.

Meanwhile, on November 22, Hamas announced an agreement with Israel, achieved with mediation from Qatar and Egypt, on a four-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The movement confirmed that the agreements include the release of 50 women and children aged under 19 in exchange for the release of captives held in Israeli prisons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel will stop hostilities for one day for every 10 hostages that are released. According to Tel Aviv, Hamas is currently holding over 200 people captive.

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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