Hamas says 3 Israeli hostages will be freed on Saturday as planned
Jerusalem, Feb 13 (AP): The Hamas group said Thursday it would release the next group of three Israeli hostages as planned, in a reversal of its previous statement and raising the prospect of resolving a major dispute over the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas had threatened to delay the next release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations to allow in tents and shelters, among other alleged violations of the truce. Israel had threatened to renew its offensive if hostages were not freed.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on Hamas' announcement but if the hostages are freed, that would allow the ceasefire to continue for now, though the its future remains in doubt.
The fragile ceasefire has mostly held since it started on January 19. During the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas has committed to freeing a total of 33 hostages captured in its October 7, 2023, attack in exchange for Israel releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The sides have carried out five swaps since January 19, freeing 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners so far. The war could resume if no agreement is reached on the more complicated second phase of the ceasefire, which calls for the return of all remaining hostages and an indefinite extension of the truce.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BSF kills seven terrorists in Jammu
New Delhi/Jammu (PTI): The Border Security Force on Friday said it has killed seven terrorists who were trying to infiltrate from across the India-Pakistan International Border in Jammu, and also destroyed a Rangers post.
The incident took place in the Samba sector on the intervening night of May 8-9 after a "big group" of terrorists was detected by the surveillance grid.
This infiltration bid was supported by fire from Pakistan Rangers post Dhandhar, a BSF spokesperson said.
He said the troops neutralised the infiltration bid, killing at least seven terrorists and caused extensive damage to the Dhandhar post
It also shared a thermal imager clip of the destruction of the said post.
The force is on high alert in the wake of the current hostilities between the two countries following the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22 and India's strike on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation.
