Twelve more liberated hostages, including two Thai nationals and ten Israeli citizens, have reportedly left Gaza and entered Israeli land, according to Israel.
Additionally, Israeli prison officials report that thirty more Palestinians have been released, bringing the total number of released inmates since Friday to 150, the majority of whom are women and juvenile boys.
Tuesday marked the fifth day of Israel and Hamas’s temporary ceasefire, following an agreement to extend it for 48 hours.
Ada Sagi’s son, who turned 75 while detained in Gaza, told the BBC he was “over the moon” that his mother had been freed.
Detainees from the Palestinian Authority have reported maltreatment in Israeli prisons. The 14-year-old youngster reported seeing beatings; Israel has not responded.
On October 7, Hamas crossed the border into Israel and killed 1,200 people, taking roughly 240 hostages.
Since then, Israel’s retaliation campaign has claimed the lives of almost 14,500 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which is governed by Hamas.
Tuesday marked the start of a two-day extension to the fighting pause, which will end in twenty-four hours.
However, I believe there’s a significant probability the two sides will agree to another 48-hour extension at that point.
As long as this process proceeds largely as expected, with few setbacks or difficulties, it is evident that both parties appear to want that.
Although we are unaware of the current status of the talks, we are aware that they have been ongoing. Strong efforts will be made to maintain this truce.
But keep in mind that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that his troops want to continue operating in Gaza with what he refers to as “full force” once this process is concluded.
