Hostages’ families wait for news of releases as Israel approves ceasefire
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Families of British hostages in Gaza were waiting to learn if their relatives were among the first people released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli cabinet gave final approval to the ceasefire and hostage deal, which will pause the 15-month war with Hamas, at 1am on Saturday local time in Israel.
The truce will begin on Sunday with three hostages to be released on the first day – followed by 30 more during the six-week opening phase of the truce. The Jewish Chronicle reported that British hostage Emily Damari is understood to be among the 33 captives set for release, although there has been no official word on the status of British-linked hostages.
Downing Street and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have been approached for comment. The 33 hostages are understood to be women, children, men over 50, and sick or wounded people. Hamas has agreed to release another four hostages on the seventh day and the remaining 26 over the following five weeks.
In return, more than Palestinian detainees are to be released and Gaza Strip should see a sharp increase in humanitarian aid. British-Israeli Ms Damari, 28, was kidnapped during the October 7 attack in 2023 and has been a hostage for 469 days. Arsenal and Tottenham football fans united in support of Ms Damari at the North London derby on Wednesday with yellow fans dotting the crowd.
