Progress has reportedly been made in indirect negotiations between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas on accelerating the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media reported on Tuesday that potentially six, instead of three, living hostages could be handed over on Saturday.
Hamas has also apparently agreed to transfer the bodies of four hostages on Thursday.
In return, Israel would release all remaining Palestinian prisoners who were set to be freed during the first phase of the ceasefire, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
There were no public comments by representatives of Israel or Hamas.
Israel is also said to now be allowing the import of heavy construction clearing equipment, container houses and tents into the blockaded Palestinian coastal area.
The state-affiliated Egyptian broadcaster Al Qahera News reported that construction vehicles from Egypt had driven to war-ruined Gaza for the first time since the ceasefire came into effect on Jan. 19.
A representative of the Egyptian Red Crescent has confirmed to dpa that dozens of vehicles, bulldozers and Lorries carrying residential containers had reached the Kerem Shalom crossing.
They further stated that the heavy equipment was intended for the opening and paving of roads, as well as the removal of debris, in Gaza.
A spokesman for the Hamas Interior Ministry said that some bulldozers had already crossed into the Gaza Strip via Kerem Shalom.
Hamas has released 19 Israeli and five Thai hostages since the star of the ceasefire.
The multi-stage ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas stipulates that during the initial six-week phase, a total of 33 hostages would be gradually released in exchange for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners.
Out of these, 14 hostages, including eight known to be deceased, remain in the custody of Hamas.
An Arab summit on Gaza, which was planned to be held in Egypt this month, has been postponed until March 4, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
The new date for the extraordinary summit was agreed upon with members of the Arab League “within the framework of finalising the substantial and logistical preparations,’’ the ministry said in a statement.
The meeting was initially scheduled for Feb. 27.
Tensions have risen after a controversial suggestion from U.S. President Donald Trump to permanently relocate Gaza’s 2 million residents to neighbouring Arab states.
The proposal has been firmly rejected by Egypt, Jordan and other regional powers, who view it as a violation of Palestinian sovereignty.
In response, Egypt is advancing its own reconstruction plan to prevent the U.S. and Israel from pushing forward with Trump’s relocation agenda.
Recent UN estimated suggest that rebuilding Gaza could cost around 53 billion dollars, with 20 billion dollars required in the first three years alone. (dpa/NAN)
