Gail Downey: UK and Europe Correspondent on the release of hostages and the reality of a ceasefire

Following last minute strikes over Gaza and a three-hour long delay, an Israel-Hamas ceasefire has begun. 

Israel is expecting to receive 33 hostages from Hamas over the coming weeks.

The first three hostages have been returned to Israel, after spending around 15 months in captivity.

Hamas says for every hostage released, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli jails.

UK and Europe Correspondent Gail Downey joins the show to discuss the details. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
And time now for our foreign correspondent. We have UK
and europe correspondent Gail Downey with us. Now.

Speaker 2 (00:06):
Good morning, Gail, Morning Francesca.

Speaker 1 (00:09):
Tell me the British Israeli hostage is expected to be
among the first hostages free today. Where is this it?

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Okay? So we have an update on that. She has
actually now been released, along with two other young women,
doren Steinbecker, who was also snatched from the kibbutz where
Emily was working, and the other hostage and again another
young woman called romy Gone. She was ambushed when she
tried to escape the Supernova festival along with hundreds of

(00:40):
others when her mass attacked. The three young women were
handed over to the Red Cross. They're now currently at
an Israeli military base. The Israeli military took them from
the Red Cross to escort them back to Israel, which
is where they now are, and I can tell you
that the mothers are due to meet them shortly.

Speaker 1 (01:02):
Our wonderful news is the concern in the UK about
the stability of the ceasefire.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
Well, I think there's concern everywhere about the stability of
the sea spire, because of course the second stages is
the rebuild, you know, the infrastructure, if you see the
images in Gaza and other cities, who is now going
to be in charge of that, who is going to
pay for it, and who ultimately is going to run

(01:28):
the strip because of course there are our fears about
Israel's intent just as much as our fears about the
intent of Hannas and also rival groups within the region.

Speaker 1 (01:41):
Oh, look, it's going to be a really special reunion,
isn't it. Incredible realities Absolutely yeah, Oh, Gail, thank you
very much for the update. Appreciate that. For more from
earlier edition with Ryan Bridge, listen live to News Talks
it be from five am weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.