The fifth release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas—and the first since a temporary cease-fire was extended—is underway as Hamas gave hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza to be returned to Israel on Tuesday, according to reporting from multiple outlets.
This image grab taken from an AFPTV video footage shows an International Red Cross vehicle ... [+]
Hamas sent its fifth group of hostages to be returned to Israel through the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza around 12 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Egyptian officials told the Wall Street Journal.
It’s not yet clear how many hostages are being returned, though Gaza-based militant group Hamas is supposed to return at least 10, according to the temporary cease-fire agreement.
Tuesday’s release follows the freeing of 11 Hamas-held hostages Monday in exchange for Israel releasing 33 Palestinian prisoners who were being held in Israeli prisons.
Tuesday marks the first day of the extended truce—which is currently set to last two days—between Israel and Hamas after Hamas agreed to return more Israeli hostages and Israel agreed to return more prisoners in order to extend the pause in fighting beyond the original four-day agreement.