DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (NEWSnet/AP) — The latest swap of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel began Tuesday evening local time.
In its report, Israel said 10 of its citizens and 2 foreigners were freed by Hamas and had entered Egypt. The latest freed hostages — 9 women and a 17-year-old teenager — were being flown to hospitals in Israel, where they will be reunited with their families, the Israeli military said.
Thirty Palestinian prisoners were released as part of the deal negotiated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
Tuesday’s release brought to 60 the number of Israelis freed under the terms of the deal between Israel and Hamas. An additional 21 hostages have been released in separate negotiations.
So far, 150 Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons.
The Palestinian prisoners released so far have been mostly teenagers accused of throwing stones and firebombs during confrontations with Israeli forces.
Hamas and other militants are still holding about 160 hostages out of the 240 seized in their Oct. 7 assault into southern Israel that ignited the war.
Israel has said it is willing to extend the current cease-fire by one day for every 10 additional hostages that Hamas releases, according to the deal brokered by the Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. But Hamas is expected to make much higher demands for the release of captive soldiers.
In the meantime, mediators met in Qatar to try to extend the cease-fire beyond Wednesday.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the region this week, also with the goal of extending the truce.
Copyright 2023 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.