Hamas is set to release more hostages for Israel-held Palestinians on the second day of a truce

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The text you provided discusses the release of hostages by Hamas as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. Here’s a paraphrased and completed version:

Hamas to Free More Hostages in Exchange for Palestinian Prisoners as Ceasefire Continues

Hamas is in the process of releasing over a dozen hostages on the second day of a ceasefire between the organization and Israel. This release is part of a prisoner exchange aimed at bringing some relief to the Gaza Strip after seven weeks of intense conflict.

While the exact details of the exchange remain uncertain, there is a sense of optimism on both sides as families are joyously reunited. On the first day of the four-day ceasefire, Hamas released 24 of the approximately 240 hostages taken during its attack on Israel in early October, which had triggered the conflict. In return, Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners, including 13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and a Filipino.

On this second day of the ceasefire, Hamas has provided Egypt and Qatar, acting as mediators, with a list of 14 hostages to be released. This list has been forwarded to Israel. Under the terms of the truce, Hamas will release one Israeli hostage for every three Palestinian prisoners set free. Israel’s Prison Service announced its readiness to release 42 prisoners, but it remains unclear how many non-Israeli captives may also be included in this release.

In total, Hamas is expected to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, while Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom are women and minors. The possibility of extending the ceasefire for additional days is being considered, contingent upon the release of more hostages, as expressed by U.S. President Joe Biden.

In a separate development, a Qatari delegation arrived in Israel to facilitate coordination between parties on the ground and ensure the smooth continuation of the agreement.

The ceasefire has brought temporary relief to the 2.3 million Palestinians affected by the conflict, enabling the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid, including food, water, medicine, and fuel. For the first time in over a month, aid reached northern Gaza, which had been the focus of Israel’s ground offensive. The United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent also successfully evacuated patients from a hospital in Gaza City to Khan Younis.

While the ceasefire has provided some respite, the situation remains complex, with concerns on both sides. Israelis are relieved that some hostages have been freed but are also anxious about those who remain captive. Palestinians, on the other hand, are grappling with the brevity of the ceasefire and the ongoing challenges they face.

The hope is that this ceasefire will pave the way for a longer-lasting peace, although the situation remains delicate, and the ultimate resolution is still uncertain.

The war has been marked by significant casualties and suffering, with over 13,300 Palestinians killed, primarily civilians, and thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli custody, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. Israeli leaders have indicated their determination to continue until they achieve their goals, while there is pressure from the families of hostages to prioritize their release.

This report was compiled by correspondents in various locations, including Bangkok, Cairo, and Jerusalem, with contributions from Julia Frankel, a writer for Big Big News.

For the full coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, you can visit this link.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ceasefire Hostage Exchange

More about Ceasefire Hostage Exchange

• Ceasefire in Israel-Gaza Conflict
• Hamas Hostage Release
• Qatari Delegation in Israel
• Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
• Israel-Gaza Conflict Overview