Summary
We’re closing our live coverage of the Middle East for the day. In case you missed anything, here’s a quick summary of all the day’s developments.
Hamas has named the three hostages to be released on Saturday under the ceasefire deal as Eli Sharabi, Ohad ben Ami, and Or Levy. The release of the names was delayed by several hours after Hamas accused Israel of delaying the delivery of aid and other equipment in breach of the terms of the ceasefire
Israel dismissed the claims it had delayed aid supplies as “completely unfounded”. It said it had allowed thousands of trucks carrying food, aid, and shelters into Gaza
Global aid agency the Norwegian Refugee Council said humanitarian efforts in Gaza remained in an “emergency crisis setting”. Communications adviser Shaina Low said more aid had been able to enter the territory since the ceasefire but that there were still “delays in screening certain types of material”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still in the US and has delivered a joint press conference with US House Speaker Mike Johnson. He praised President Trump for lifting bans on the provision of certain weapons that were in place under the Biden administration and said there was no “future for peace” in his region if Hamas remains there
President Trump issued an executive order announcing sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). The order said the court had “engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel” and vowed to “impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions”
The ICC condemned the sanctions and accused Trump of trying to “harm its independent and impartial judicial” work. “The court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world,” it said.
The UN also called on Trump to criticised the sanctions. “We deeply regret the individual sanctions announced yesterday against court personnel, and call for this measure to be reversed,” human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said
The UK has “no plans” to impose similar sanctions and will “support the independence of the ICC”, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said. The the UK and the US “over a number of administrations have taken a different view on the ICC”, they added
France, Germany, and the Netherlands all spoke out against the sanctions. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said that, as the host of the court, the Netherlands had a “responsibility to guarantee the unhindered functioning of the criminal court at all times. We will keep doing that”
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Hamas names three hostages to be released on Saturday
Hamas has released the names of the three hostages it plans to release on Saturday under the terms of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Spokesperson Abu Obeida said on Telegram that Eli Sharabi, Ohad ben Ami, and Or Levy would be released.
Sharabi was taken captive with his brother, Yossi, who has since been confirmed to have died in Gaza. Sharabi’s wife and two daughters were murdered in the 7 October attacks.
Ohad Ben Ami was taken captive with his wife, Raz Ben Ami, who was released in November 2023.
Or Levy and his wife, Eynav, arrived at the Supernova festival just minutes before militants arrived and began massacring civilians. Eynav was killed in the attack, while Or was taken hostage.
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