Israeli Hostages Released as Truce Deal Nears One-Week Mark

Two more Israeli hostages were released on Thursday, Israel said, as a short-term truce deal between Israel and Hamas, the Gaza Strip's ruling militant group, neared its one-week mark in the Palestinian territory. 

Both Israeli hostages were transferred to the Red Cross then traveled to Israel on Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces said. Additional hostages were expected to be transferred to the aid organization over the next few hours, according to the military.

Earlier, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to extend the temporary cease-fire in Gaza for at least 24 more hours, the Qatari government announced, pushing the humanitarian pause into its seventh consecutive day on Thursday. The announcement came just before the cease-fire was set to expire, and followed a previous extension of the halt in fighting. 

Cease-fire in Gaza Leads to Hostage Releases

The cease-fire in Gaza, brokered by mediator Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, has resulted in the first break in fighting since Israel declared war on Hamas. The truce, which was initially set to last four days, has seen the release of women and children being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas, and the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons by Israel.

Dozens of hostages have been returned to Israel by Hamas, and over 100 Palestinians have been freed from prisons. However, more than 100 people taken from Israel on October 7th remain in captivity, according to Israeli officials.

When asked about the number of hostages still alive in Gaza on Thursday, senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad stated, "I do not know." He emphasized that the number is not important and that Hamas is continuing to release the civilians.

Hamad also expressed Hamas' desire for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, which has suffered significant damage from Israeli military airstrikes. According to Hamas officials, more than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict.