The Wall Street Journal has disclosed additional complications behind the delay in implementing the hostage release between Israel and Hamas, shedding light on missing details and unsigned agreements.
While Hamas furnished information on the majority of the 50 hostages slated for release, specifics about the fate of some remained elusive.
Moreover, Hamas did not formally endorse the mechanism enabling the hostages’ release.
Egyptian officials, liaising with Hamas in Gaza, informed Qatar of the delay, prompting National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi to confirm that the release would adhere to the original agreement, starting not earlier than Friday.
Hanegbi stated on Wednesday night, “The negotiations for the release of our hostages are progressing and continuing all the time.”
An Israeli official informed Kan 11 News of a 24-hour delay due to the unsigned agreement on Hamas and Qatar’s part. The official, optimistic about implementation upon signing, reported, “The Qataris informed us around 11:00 p.m. that Hamas has not yet signed the agreement and therefore there will be a delay in its implementation.”
Families of the hostages, uninformed about the delay, learned of it through the media.
Despite this, Mossad Director David Barnea’s visit to Qatar ahead of the anticipated release proceeded. Barnea, accompanied by Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Alon, received a list of initial hostages for release. While expectations were set for a Thursday start, the move was postponed until Friday.
A diplomatic official outlined the handling of the Hamas hostages’ release. Notably, in the initial stage, families won’t receive advance notice, citing a lack of trust in Hamas. The official explained, “To cause distress to the family would be the worst thing. As soon as the people are in our hands, we will inform the families and bring them to the meeting point at the hospital.” The process involves evening receipt of names, subsequent gathering by Hamas the next morning, and transfer to the Red Cross for identification before allowing the hostages’ return and transportation to hospitals.
{Matzav.com Israel}
This is why Israeli officials are optimistic that Hamas will ultimately carry out its part of the deal. Hamas needs the time. It is why Israel even accepted the terror group’s transparent preparations to cheat, including the stipulation that the first three days of exchanges need not reach the 12- or 13-per-day rate of Israelis released, but that the number missing from that rate must be made up for on the fourth day. That demand suggests Hamas might be planning to release fewer prisoners for three days and then break the agreement on the fourth.
And then the world will attack Israel for starting the war again.