Families of the hostages still held inside Gaza said they were “terrified” for their loved ones if the deal falls through, especially after the three hostages released last week emerged from captivity emaciated and ill. “The waiting is unbearable.
The ceasefire has also brought much-needed respite to Palestinian civilians in Gaza: Israel’s ferocious bombardment of Gaza has killed over 48,000 people and displaced more than 90 percent of the 2 million population, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The Palestinian militant group said earlier said it would not hand over the next three captives, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the truce, including shelling the territory and not allowing in shelters and humanitarian aid.
Under the first phase of the ceasefire deal, Hamas and Israel agreed that 33 hostages would be released in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
Earlier, a Hamas official told The Independent they were working with Egyptian and Qatari mediators to get guarantees from Israel that shelter and aid materials outlined in the agreement would enter Gaza.
