Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ultimatum to cancel a Gaza ceasefire unless the Palestinian militant group named the hostages for release, Hamas has publicly identified the three Israeli captives slated for immediate release.
A Hamas spokesperson, via a Telegram post, announced the names of the three Israelis to be freed, a move potentially initiating the ceasefire after a delay. Prime Minister Netanyahu had earlier threatened to void the ceasefire agreement if Hamas failed to provide a list of hostages for the initial release.
Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, stated, “As part of the prisoner exchange deal, we are releasing today: Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Shtanbar Khair, 31.”
These three women were taken captive on October 7, 2023, during Hamas’s attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 abductions to Gaza.
Despite the scheduled ceasefire start time, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continued Sunday. Netanyahu declared the truce “will not begin” until Hamas provided the list of hostages to be released as per the agreement.