Live updates: Hamas, Israel prepare for second prisoner exchange under truce

Saturday, January 25, 2025

02:59 GMT — The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has said it will release four Israeli women soldiers on Saturday under a truce deal that is also expected to see a second group of jailed Palestinians freed.

Israel confirmed Friday that it had received a list of names of hostages who are due to return home, though neither side has specified how many Palestinians will be released from Israeli prisons if everything goes to plan.

Abu Obeida, the spokesman for the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, said on Telegram Friday that "as part of the prisoners' exchange deal, the Qassam brigades decided to release tomorrow four women soldiers".

Palestinian sources told AFP the releases could begin before noon (1000 GMT), though neither Hamas nor Israel has issued a statement on expected timings.

More updates ????

21:07 GMT — Lebanon says Israel breached truce 660 times

The Israeli army has committed 20 more violations of a ceasefire that took effect in late November, bringing total violations to nearly 660.

Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) said the violations concentrated in the districts of Bent Jbeil, Marjayoun and Nabatieh, included the destruction of homes, burning of cars, bulldozing of streets, damaging a mosque and opening fire toward Lebanese areas.

The Israeli army carried out bulldozing attacks on streets in Aitaroun and set fire to several homes. It also opened fire on homes in the towns of Maroun al Ras and Yaroun.

Another Israeli force stormed Qantara, where it set fire to cars and damaged a mosque, the Lebanese broadcaster added.

The Israeli army fired at least two artillery shells toward the Khiyam town.

20:35 GMT — Israel says UNRWA must leave East Jerusalem by January 30

Israel's United Nations envoy, Danny Danon, has told the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA must "cease its operations in [East] Jerusalem, and evacuate all premises in which it operates in the city" by January 30.

A law banning UNRWA's operation on Israeli land and contact with Israeli authorities takes effect on January 30.