Names of three Israeli civilians to be released by Hamas unveiled ahead of expected release of 183 Palestinian prisoners

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Hamas has begun setting up a stage in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, where the hostage release is expected to take place, according to a Times of Israel report about 20 minutes ago.

It went on:

The location is a new one, with the terror group shifting sites where it conducts the releases.

The stage has a a sign of a fist with a Palestinian flag, and the words “total victory” written in Hebrew at the bottom over a picture of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has vowed the war will not end until Israel achieves “total victory.”

The United States has approved the sale of more than $7.4bn in bombs, missiles and related equipment to Israel. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale – which still technically requires the approval of Congress – “improves Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serves as a deterrent to regional threats”.

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”.