War in the Middle East
Netanyahu expects hostages in Gaza to be released on Sunday
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According to Israeli sources, the release of the hostages held by Hamas is scheduled to begin on Sunday – subject to the approval of the security cabinet.
After agreeing on a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the release of hostages would begin on Sunday.
Pending approval from the Israeli security cabinet and government, the release of Israeli hostages abducted by the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas and allied groups in their attack on October 7, 2023 is expected to begin on Sunday, Netanyahu’s office said on Friday.
The agreement between Israel and Hamas stipulates that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will begin on Sunday and that a total of 33 hostages will be released in a first phase. The ceasefire is scheduled to begin on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m. CET). According to Israeli media, the hostage release could happen at 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. CET).
Israel’s security cabinet discusses deal with Hamas – approval is considered certain
Israel’s security cabinet has officially begun discussions on an agreement with Hamas on a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu’s office announced this. The meeting in Jerusalem began later than planned.
After the security cabinet, the government still has to approve the deal. According to information from the Times of Israel, this is only planned for Saturday evening. Approval of the agreement by the security cabinet and the entire government is considered certain.
Under Israeli law, relatives of terror victims can appeal to the Supreme Court within 24 hours against the release of certain Palestinian prisoners. According to the media, the names of the Palestinian prisoners will be published following the security cabinet meeting so that the agreement can be implemented on Sunday.
When the horror began – October 7th in pictures

6:29 a.m.: The horror begins
It is Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. It coincides with the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. At 6:29 a.m. (5:29 a.m. German time), Israel hasn’t even fully woken up yet, the Israeli army registered thousands of rockets being fired at Israel near the border from the Gaza Strip
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Initially it was said that they would only be published after the government meeting on Saturday evening. However, this would not have made it possible for the ceasefire to begin on Sunday. Since Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, begins on Friday evening, religious people did not have enough time to lodge an objection, according to the media.
In the last agreement between Israel and Hamas in November 2023, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected an objection to the agreement.
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Source: Stern

I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.