The official did not name the Thai nationals set to be freed. The release is part of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has paused the war in Gaza in exchange for freedom for dozens of hostages held in the Palestinian territory and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
He is also fighting several other legal cases. Imamoglu, who belongs to the main opposition CHP party and was re-elected mayor last year, vowed not to give up. He is accused of threatening, insulting and targeting an official and attempting to influence fair trial. In his statement to the prosecutor, a copy of which was seen by AFP, Imamoglu denied all the allegations, saying he was simply exercising his right to free speech. An Istanbul court on Thursday ordered the arrest of an opposition TV journalist for broadcasting an interview the authorities allege was conducted without the consent of the interviewee — none other than the court-appointed expert Imamoglu had criticized.
Among the crowd, some supporters wore Imamoglu face masks while others waved banners. There was a significant police presence. Fevziye Yalcin, 57, said the cases against Imamoglu were meaningless. Palestinian and Hamas officials said the crossing would now be run by members of the Palestinian Authority and European monitors.
It will be opened for 50 injured militants and 50 wounded civilians, along with individuals escorting them, according to the officials, who said a further people, most likely students, would be allowed through on humanitarian grounds. In its standby mode, the mission had 10 international and eight local staff. The deal has allowed for a surge in humanitarian aid and enabled the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees from Israeli jails.
For now, its work in Gaza and elsewhere continues despite an Israeli ban that was due to take effect on Jan. However, she said that its Palestinian staff located in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are facing difficulties, citing examples of stone-throwing and hold-ups at checkpoints.
