The second group of hostages faced a delay, but that setback was overcome through the persistent efforts of Egypt and Qatar. This update comes from TASS, citing Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Al-Ansari stated that after a period of hesitation, the barriers to the prisoners’ release were removed thanks to direct dialogue involving Qatar and Egypt with the parties on the ground.
He added that the planned exchanges would include 39 Palestinian civilians, 13 Israeli hostages, and seven foreign nationals who would depart from Gaza as part of the agreement.
On 25 November, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected accusations that the ceasefire terms had been breached. The ministry’s official representative, Lior Ben-Dor, asserted that not a single provision of the agreement had been violated.
Earlier, Kadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Committee, had warned that Israel was not adhering to the conditions set for the prisoner releases.
Meanwhile, former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that the country is at war, signaling a heightened security footing and a continuing, tense security situation in the region.
In brief, the involved parties appear to be moving toward a staged exchange, with regional mediators emphasizing that negotiations remain subject to on-the-ground developments and the broader dynamics of the ceasefire framework. The situation continues to draw international attention, as observers monitor whether the agreed timelines and conditions will hold under evolving tensions and calls for accountability from both sides. The ongoing conversations highlight the delicate balance between humanitarian concerns for prisoners and the strategic priorities of each state involved, as well as the broader goal of reducing violence and fostering talks that could lead to a longer-term stabilization in the area. [Citation: TASS report citing Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari, QFA spokesperson; statements from the Israeli MFA official representative, Lior Ben-Dor; comments from Kadura Fares.]