Middle East conflict

31 Jan, 13:14

Total of 90 Palestinians to be released on February 1 in exchange for three hostages

Earlier on Friday, Abu Ubaida, spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that the Palestinian movement Hamas would release Israeli citizen Yarden Bibas, US national Keith Siegel and French citizen Ofer Calderon on February 1

CAIRO, January 31. /TASS/. Israeli authorities will release a total of 90 Palestinian prisoners on February 1 in exchange for the return of a new group of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Information Office for Prisoners' Affairs said in a statement on its Telegram channel.

"Tomorrow, as per the agreement [with Israel], nine Palestinians serving life sentences and 81 others given lengthy sentences will be freed from prison," the statement said.

Earlier on Friday, Abu Ubaida, spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that the Palestinian movement Hamas would release Israeli citizen Yarden Bibas, US national Keith Siegel and French citizen Ofer Calderon on February 1.

On Thursday, Palestinian groups operating in the Gaza Strip released eight hostages - three Israelis and five Thai nationals - as part of an additional round of exchange. During the process of the release, two of the Israeli hostages and the Thai citizens had to navigate through large crowds of people, and the vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were unable to immediately leave the town of Khan Yunis, where the transfer took place, due to residents of Gaza blocking their way. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed that the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners be suspended until the safe handover of hostages to the ICRC in the Gaza Strip is guaranteed for the further phases of the ceasefire deal in the enclave.

Later on Thursday, Israel received guarantees from the intermediaries that the hostages would be able to leave the Palestinian enclave safely. Shortly after that, the Palestinian Information Office for Prisoners' Affairs stated that, following talks with the intermediaries, it was decided to release Palestinian prisoners after 3:00 p.m. GMT on January 30. Among those released were 32 people serving life sentences.

The agreement to cease fire in Gaza entered force on January 19. On the same day, Palestinian groups released the first group of hostages, which included three Israeli women. In turn, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners. Early on January 25, four Israeli women, who were undergoing their compulsory service in the Israeli army, were released from captivity in Gaza, while Israel freed 200 Palestinian prisoners. Among them, 114 arrived in the West Bank, 16 returned to Gaza, and the rest 70 were deported to Egypt.

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Possible drone fragments found in Romania’s Galati County — Defense Ministry

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Over 200,000 people rally outside Greek parliament

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Yesterday, 15:32

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Yesterday, 09:19

Investors hunting for Russian shares after start of Russia-US talks — Bloomberg

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Yesterday, 10:12

Kremlin not to comment on Trump’s statements about Zelensky before talks end

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24 Jan 2024, 15:08

Zelensky leads Ukraine to terrible finale, killing his own people — Russian MFA

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Two days ago, 13:19

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Yesterday, 20:04

White House confirms US, Ukraine didn’t sign minerals deal

The American leader said Zelensky could come back when he was ready for peace

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Yesterday, 12:11

Russia, China should constantly deepen strategic coordination — Xi

The Chinese president also emphasized the need for the full implementation of the consensus reached by the two leaders, advocating for the principles of unwavering good-neighborliness

Zelensky offers Europe to 'buy' war Washington refused — Medvedchuk

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31 Jan 2023, 14:12

US played key role in ousting Ukrainian president in 2014, researcher says

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Two days ago, 18:51

Trump says Ukraine won’t join NATO — newspaper

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Yesterday, 16:43

Russian troops repel massive UAV attack in Bryansk Region

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Putin says European elites eventually to be "at Trump’s feet wagging their tails"

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Yesterday, 16:13

Return of US tech companies would pull Russia back into 90s, 'dependency' — IT CEO

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Two days ago, 15:13

Macron persuaded Trump to receive Zelensky in Washington — media

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Yesterday, 19:03

Zelensky leaves White House early after sparring with Trump

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Yesterday, 09:35

Trump sends sobering message on Ukraine to Europe — media

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Yesterday, 19:42

Russia, China confirm readiness to strategic security consultations

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Yesterday, 08:03

Russia, China should uphold outcome of WWII — Chinese foreign minister

Wang Yi said it is an imperative to maintain global peace and promote the development of our planet

Yesterday, 13:12

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 1,340 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 34 enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the week, the ministry reported

Yesterday, 18:17

Trump says stupid to ask whether US sides with Ukraine

Reporter asked if Zelensky thought the US was on his side

Yesterday, 15:14

Return to Russian market will be difficult for European car brands — expert

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Two days ago, 08:35

Kiev must sign mineral deal to avoid total collapse of US-Ukraine ties — Chinese expert

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5 Dec 2024, 23:10

Zelensky not thinking straight wanting to bring back people of Russian culture — Lavrov

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Yesterday, 08:42

Ukraine's accession to EU unthinkable at present — Hungarian PM

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Yesterday, 18:43

Trump says Zelensky not ready for peace

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Yesterday, 03:42

Those who supplied weapons to Crocus attackers may try to intimidate witnesses — papers

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Yesterday, 20:38

Trump claims good mutual understanding with Putin

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Yesterday, 14:56

US agrees to appointment of Darchiev as new Russian ambassador — Russian MFA

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Yesterday, 11:37

Musk believes JD Vance on track to become US president

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Musk jumping the gun by saying that ISS should be deorbited — Russian cosmonaut

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