Hamas announced the death of North Gaza Brigade military commander Ahmed al-Ghandour on Sunday, November 26. He was a member of the Hamas military council and had been designated a “terrorist” by American authorities since 2017, particularly for his role in the 2006 attack on the Israeli army at the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Hamas, which rarely communicates about its deaths, said three other leaders, including Ayman Siam, were portrayed as leaders of rocket fire units during Israel’s offensive on Palestinian territory. Follow our live stream.
A second exchange took place and another is expected on Sunday. On Saturday there was a second exchange between Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Seventeen hostages, including thirteen Israelis, held in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 terrorist attacks were finally released late in the evening after several hours of uncertainty. The Israeli authorities then announced, as on Friday, the release of 39 Palestinian prisoners, as part of the agreement with the Islamist movement that provides for the release of three prisoners in exchange for that of one Israeli hostage. A new exchange must take place on Sunday.
Delayed releases on Saturday. These releases on Saturday were delayed for many hours, with Hamas accusing Israel of not respecting the terms of the agreement, but the situation was eventually resolved, particularly thanks to the mediation of Qatar and Egypt. An Israeli army spokesman, Doron Spielman, spoke of “delay tactics” by Hamas as part of “psychological warfare.”
41 Israeli hostages and 78 Palestinian prisoners released. Since the ceasefire began on Friday morning, Hamas has handed over 41 Israeli and foreign hostages held in Gaza to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), while Israel has released 78 Palestinian prisoners. The agreement reached on Wednesday under the auspices of Qatar with support from the United States and Egypt provides for a total exchange of 50 Hamas hostages for 150 Palestinian prisoners. This ceasefire was theoretically due to end on Tuesday morning, but could be extended if the Islamist movement agrees to release more hostages.
Gaza receives humanitarian aid. Hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks continue to enter the Gaza Strip, besieged and devastated by seven weeks of intense Israeli bombardment. According to the United Nations, a total of 248 trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Saturday, 61 of which delivered water, food and medical equipment to the northern area.