2:51 p.m. ET, November 25, 2023
The release of hostages will continue after Israel and Hamas resolve a dispute over conditions, Qatar says
By CNN’s Kareem Damanhoury and Abeer Salman
Obstacles that led to a delay in today’s expected release of hostages and prisoners have been “overcome” through mediation, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
“After a delay in implementing the release of prisoners on both sides, the obstacles have been overcome through Qatari-Egyptian communication with both sides and tonight 39 Palestinian civilians will be released in exchange for the release of 13 Israeli prisoners from Gaza in addition to 7 “Foreigners outside the scope of the agreement,” said Qatari spokesman Majed Al-Ansari.
What we know about who will be released: The hostages scheduled to be released from Gaza on Saturday include eight Israeli children, five Israeli women and another seven people from other countries, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on the social media platform X. Further details about the foreigners were not immediately available.
The Palestinian prisoners set to be released include 33 teenagers and six women, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Association and the Commission for Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs on Saturday.
The prisoners mostly come from the occupied West Bank, with the exception of six from East Jerusalem, the statement added.
This post has been updated with details about the hostages and prisoners.