An additional eight Israeli hostages were freed by Hamas militants Thursday ahead of the expiration of a cease-fire with Israel, though mediators say it could be extended.
Hamas militants released eight more Israeli hostages and three bodies Thursday as a cease-fire with Israel was expected to expire.
The Israeli military said six Israeli hostages had been released from captivity in the Gaza Strip and transferred to Egypt by the Red Cross late Thursday. They arrived hours after two additional hostages were turned over to Israel separately.
From Egypt, the newly freed hostages were to be transferred to Israel to be reunited with their families after nearly eight weeks in captivity.
