At least 30 Palestinians in Israeli jails and 10 hostages held by Hamas are likely to be freed on Wednesday. U.S. and Israeli officials were in Qatar trying to work out a further cease-fire extension.
A temporary truce between Israel and Hamas was set to expire on Wednesday, but mediators in Qatar were trying to extend it for at least another 48 hours to allow for the exchange of more captives and for additional aid to reach embattled Gaza.
On the second day of a two-day cease-fire extension, at least another 10 Israelis were expected to be freed by Hamas in exchange for at least 30 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says it believes that 161 of the original 240 hostages seized by Hamas in last month’s attack on Israeli communities were still being held by the Islamist militant group. Israel says around 1,200 people were killed when Hamas fighters swept out of the Gaza Strip, striking nearby Israeli communities.
On Tuesday, Hamas freed 10 Israelis and two Thai laborers in exchange for 30 Palestinians prisoners and detainees.
The families of Israeli hostages released by Hamas continue to share stories of their relatives’ captivity, with some relatives speaking to media outlets.
