Hamas releases another 12 hostages, Israel says

Another 12 hostages held in the Gaza Belt, 10 Israelis and two Thais have been released from Hamasi's radical Palestinian group, declared by the US and EU terrorist organisation, Israeli Army announced on Tuesday evening.

Israel's prime minister's office said all 12 hostages have arrived in Israel.

Their “families were announced by officials that they have returned to Israel”, she said in a communique.

In return, Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons on the fifth day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Similarly, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said Red Cross representatives transported 12 hostages to Egypt and that they were on their way to Israel.

Israel and Hamas agreed to continue the ceasefire by Wednesday, raising hopes for exchanges of the remaining hostages held by Hamas with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, as well as for a longer break in the deadliest and most destructive war between them.

The extension of the ceasefire would enable and send more aid to Gaza, which has been destroyed by a powerful bombing campaign and an Israeli ground offensive that has forced 75 percent of the 2.3 million residents to move from their homes and flee south of the territory.

But Israel says it remains committed to destroying Hamas and ending its 16-year rule in Gaza. This probably means expansion of the offensive from north to south.

About 240 people were kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7th attack in Israel, where the warriors of the Palestinian radical group killed more than 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.

More than 15,000 Palestinians have been hanged during the Israeli air and land offensive in Gaza, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is controlled by Hamas.