President Emmanuel Macron has announced that French-Israeli citizens Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi will be included in the first group of hostages to be freed by Hamas militants, following their ceasefire with Israel.
Macron's announcement on Friday came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that the release of hostages held in Gaza since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel is expected to begin on Sunday.
The release is part of the ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Hamas, announced on Wednesday and agreed by Israel's security cabinet in a vote on Friday.
Under the deal struck by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, the coming weeks should also see the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
The agreement, which must now go to the full cabinet for a final green light, would halt fighting and bombardment in Gaza's deadliest war.
Israeli strikes have killed dozens of people since the ceasefire – due to come into effect on Sunday – was announced. Israel's military said on Thursday it had hit around 50 targets across Gaza over the previous day.
Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza as world leaders hail Hamas ceasefire deal
"Our fellow citizens Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi are on the list of 33 hostages to be freed in the first phase of the Gaza accord," Macron wrote in a social media post. "We remain relentlessly committed to ensuring their return to their families."
Kalderon, 53, was kidnapped alongside his two children Erez, 12, and Sahar, 16, who were released after 52 days in captivity.
Families await news of French hostages as Gaza truce deal advances
Yahalomi, 49, was taken with his 12-year-old son Eitan, who was freed during November's temporary ceasefire.
Since the conflict began, 48 French citizens have died. Eight were taken hostage, of whom two died in captivity and four were released during previous negotiations.
The new truce between Israel and Hamas could see the release of 33 captives.
(with AFP)
