Today, Saturday, November 25, 2023, marks day two of the four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Just like the day before, exchange of detainees are expected to take place.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that they received the list of names of those expected to be released from the Gaza Strip, and they have notified those families.
The Palestinian Prisoners Association also confirmed that about 42 Palestinian prisoners will be released today, saying, that it is the number that it has been given by Israeli authorities.
The list includes 18 women and 24 minors. The release will happen via Ofer Prison, just outside Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
Thailand Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin praised the diplomatic efforts that led to the release of Thai captives from Gaza.
“I would like to praise and thank the mediation efforts of all parties involved,” the prime minister said in a post on X on Saturday, while welcoming the four-day truce between Israel and Hamas in order to allow the delivery of aid to Gaza.
“Please continue to release innocent Thai hostages as soon as possible,” he added.
Meanwhile, The World Health Organisation, UN’s health agency noted that it is “extremely concerned” about the safety of patients and staff remaining at Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital and that it is unable to confirm the wellbeing of the facility’s Director and three other medical workers arrested by Israeli forces.
While most patients and staff were evacuated from al-Shifa last week, about 100 people are estimated to still be at Gaza’s largest medical facility.
“Two of the six detained health workers have reportedly been released. We do not have information about the wellbeing of the four remaining health staff, including the Director of al-Shifa Hospital. WHO calls for their legal and human rights to be fully observed during their detention.”
World Health Organisation
Israel’s military said that it is “moving forward” with questioning al-Shifa Hospital Director, Muhammad Abu Salmiya after the World Health Organization said it had no information about his wellbeing and that of three other arrested medical staff.
“We are currently moving forward with … questioning him over the fact that he was the head of a hospital that was really sitting on top of an entire terror network,” Israeli military spokesperson Doron Spielman said on Saturday.
“How could he not know what’s happening? We have hostages that were on, you know, CCTV in his hospital,” He added.
Hamas and hospital officials have repeatedly denied Israeli claims that the hospital has been used for military purposes.
Israeli raids continue in West Bank, despite Gaza truce
The near-daily raids in the occupied West Bank predate the war in Gaza and appear to be continuing, despite the truce in the Strip.
It was reported that Israeli forces conducted a raid in el-Bireh, where they forced their way into a home in the Jabal al-Tawil neighbourhood of the town.
Gunshots and sound grenades were also fired in the al-Balou’ neighbourhood.
Israeli forces surrounded a building in the town of Qabatiyeh south of Jenin, demanding Palestinians there turn themselves in. According to local sources, at least two Palestinians were wounded in confrontations.
Further south in Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, Israeli forces detained five Palestinians.
Other raids took place on Aqbat Jabr refugee camp, south of Jericho and Araneh village, northeast of Jenin.
At least 225 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank since October 7, with a further seven Palestinians dying in Israeli custody.
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