FAMILIES and hostages faced an anxious wait last night as plans to free 13 Israelis including eight children and seven "foreign nationals" were delayed after Hamas accused Israel of breaking agreements.
Relatives and friends of the 240 seized by the terror group had gathered in a plaza in Tel Aviv, known as Hostages Square, for the anticipated freeing of women and children, only to be left devastated while further negotiations were held.
This was in stark contrast to the joyous scenes when the first 13 hostages released on Friday were reunited with relatives.
The second group of released hostages had been due to be returned yesterday afternoon but Hamas claimed promised aid had not arrived in northern Gaza.
It also said the terms of the release of Palestine prisoners, three for each Israeli, had not been adhered to. It was also claimed Israel had violated the ceasefire deal by flying drones over southern Gaza.
Hope was restored as a spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Majed Al-Ansari, said last night the "obstacles were overcome" and hostages would be freed along with a further seven civilians.
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