Tel Aviv: Hamas has liberated an additional 16 hostages, comprising 10 Israelis, two Russians, and four Thais. They were all transferred into the custody of Israeli officials. Among the 10 Israeli citizens released, five hold dual citizenship, with three holding German citizenship and the remaining two holding Dutch and US citizenship. This release comes within the context of an extended four-day ceasefire, further prolonged by two days following Hamas’s agreement to release more hostages.
Over the past six days, Hamas has freed a total of 70 Israeli citizens. Initially handed over to the Red Cross, the hostages were subsequently repatriated to Israel. Israel also released 30 Palestinian prisoners, as confirmed by Majed al-Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Qatar and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In related diplomatic efforts, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Tel Aviv to engage in discussions regarding the extension of the ceasefire agreement. Blinken convened with Israeli leaders amid the expiration of the agreement today morning. Ongoing discussions are centred on extending the ceasefire, but no decision has been taken.
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