On the second day of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were present this Saturday, October 11, at a meeting in Tel Aviv organized by the families of the hostages held in Gaza.
Steve Witkoff spoke directly with the Israeli hostages who will be freed this Monday.
“You’re coming home […] As you return to embrace your families and your nation, know that all of Israel and the entire world are ready to welcome you home with open arms and infinite love,” he said from Hostage Square.
“Your courage moved the world”
His words provoked applause from thousands of people. Then, addressing the hostages’ families, he added: “Your bravery moved the world.”
A senior Hamas official confirmed this Saturday that the release of the 48 hostages held in Gaza would begin on Monday morning. “According to the signed agreement, the prisoner exchange should begin on Monday morning as agreed and there is no news on this,” Osama Hamdane told AFP.
After that, Israel must release some 2,000 Palestinian detainees from its jails, under the terms of the first stage of a ceasefire agreement signed by both sides under US mediation.
The two emissaries in the Gaza Strip
During the day, the two envoys also visited the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said.
“The Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, today made a field visit to the Gaza Strip accompanied by the US envoy in the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and the head of the US military Middle East Command (Centcom), Admiral Brad Cooper,” he said.
US President Donald Trump plans to travel to the Middle East for the official signing of the ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages. “The hostages will be back on Monday or Tuesday. I’ll probably be there. I hope to be there. We’re planning to leave on Sunday and I’m looking forward to it,” he told reporters at the White House on Thursday. Emmanuel Macron will also travel to Egypt on Monday to support the Gaza peace plan.
Source: BFM TV
