The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Israel-hamas
Three more Thai nationals were released. Separately, Hamas said it released a Rus- sian hostage “in response to the efforts of Russian Pres- ident Vladimir Putin.” The Russian-israeli citizen was the first male hostage to be freed.
Israel’s prison service later said it had begun the pro- cess of releasing 39 Pales- tinian prisoners. A convoy of vehicles was seen leaving Ofer military prison in the occupied West Bank.
A fourth exchange is expected today — the last day of the cease-fire during which a total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prison- ers are to be freed. All are
women and minors.
“We can get all hostages back home. We have to keep pushing,” said two of Edan’s relatives, a great-aunt and cousin, in a statement thank- ing mediators.
International mediators led by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar are trying to extend the cease-fire that began Friday.
Hamas on Sunday for the first time said it would seek to extend the deal by look- ing to release a larger num- ber of hostages. The Israeli army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said it was open to extending the cease-fire if more hostages are released. Israel earlier said the truce can be extended by an extra day for every addi- tional 10 hostages freed, but has vowed to quickly resume its offensive once it ends.
Ahead of the latest release, Netanyahu visited the Gaza Strip, where he spoke with troops. “At the end of the day we will return every one,” he said of the hostages, add- ing that “we are continu- ing until the end, until vic- tory. Nothing will stop us.” It was not clear where he went inside Gaza.
The cease-fire agreement has brought the first signif- icant pause in seven weeks of war, marked by the dead- liest Israeli-palestinian vio- lence in decades and vast destruction and displace- ment across the Gaza Strip.
More than 13,300 Pales- tinians have been killed, roughly two thirds of them women and minors, accord- ing to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. The war has claimed the lives of more
than 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians killed by Hamas in the initial attack.
Hamas and other militant groups seized around 240 people during the incur- sion into southern Israel that ignited the war. Fifty-eight have been released, one was freed by Israeli forces and two were found dead inside Gaza.
Families from the south- ern Israeli town of Kfar Aza embraced, cried, and applauded at the news that hostages from their town had arrived in Israel. More than 70 members of the kibbutz of around 700 people were killed and 18 were kidnapped.
Pressure from families has sharpened the dilemma facing Israel’s leaders, who seek to eliminate Hamas as a military and governing power while returning all captives.