Hamas releases fourth batch of hostages, ceasefire extended for two more days

Jerusalem/Gaza, Hamas has released the fourth batch of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and more are expected to be released in the coming days as Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the current ceasefire for another two days.

Eleven hostages were handed over to Red Cross authorities in the fourth phase of a ceasefire with Israel on Monday, a Palestinian source told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity.

Updating its statement on social media platform X on Monday night, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the 11 freed hostages were dual citizens. These include three Israeli-French citizens, two Israeli-German citizens and six Israeli-Argentine citizens.

The ministry said that in exchange, 33 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 minors and three women, would be released.

The Israeli military confirmed in a statement that the newly released hostages arrived in Israel after being handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross.

“IDF (Israel Defense Forces) special forces and ISA (Israel Security Agency) forces are currently on Israeli territory with the 11 released hostages,” the statement said.

He was released 52 days after being taken hostage by Hamas militants in their deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7.

According to IDF figures, less than a third of the approximately 240 hostages held by Hamas have so far been released.

Under the initial four-day agreement, Hamas would release 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons.