No Gaza hostage release before Friday, says Israel

The release of hostages under a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas will not happen before Friday, Israel's national security adviser said.

Israel and Hamas had agreed on Wednesday to a ceasefire in Gaza for at least four days, to let in humanitarian aid and free at least 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for at least 150 Palestinians jailed in Israel.

The starting time of the truce and release of hostages had yet to be officially announced but various sources had stated 10:00 am on Thursday.

"The negotiations on the release of our hostages are advancing and continuing constantly," Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in a statement released by the prime minister's office.

"The start of the release will take place according to the original agreement between the sides, and not before Friday," it said.

Israel's public broadcaster Kan, citing an unidentified Israeli official, reported there was a 24-hour delay because the agreement was not signed by Hamas and mediator Qatar. The official said they were optimistic the agreement would be carried out when it was signed.

"No one said there would be a release tomorrow except the media...We had to make it clear that no release is planned before Friday, because of the uncertainty that hostages' families are facing," Kan quoted a source in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office as saying.

Since the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, five hostages have been recovered alive. Israel says 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians and about 240 people of different nationalities were taken hostage.

In retaliation, Israel has subjected Gaza to a siege and relentless bombardment. More than 14,000 Gazans have been killed, according to medical officials in the territory.