A new group of 12 hostages was released from Gaza on Tuesday, marking a step in the ongoing efforts to secure an extended truce between Israel and Hamas.
The exchange, which involved ten Israelis and two foreigners, was part of a deal that also saw the release of Palestinian prisoners. The handover, witnessed by an AFP journalist, took place in Rafah, near the Egypt border, where masked and armed individuals transferred the hostages to Red Cross officials.
Despite accusations of truce violations by both Israel and Hamas, the ceasefire, mediated by Qatari officials, appeared to hold on Tuesday. US and Israeli intelligence chiefs met in Doha, Qatar’s capital, to discuss the next phase of the deal, aiming to prevent a return to full-scale conflict.
The truce, which paused a conflict that began on October 7, has been critical in halting the violence that caused significant civilian casualties on both sides.
The recent developments have raised hopes for a sustainable truce, with international figures, including the head of the CIA and the director of Israel’s Mossad, engaging in talks in Qatar.
The truce has already resulted in the release of 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners. However, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread destruction and a looming threat of famine, highlighting the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid and a lasting ceasefire.
