Israel and Hamas Extend Ceasefire By Two Days, More Hostages Released
Qatar Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said on X that 33 Palestinians in Israeli prisons will be freed in exchange for the release of the 11 Israeli hostages.
The Palestinian prisoners being released from Israeli prisons include 30 minors and three women, Al Ansari said.
He also noted that the Israeli hostages being freed include three French citizens, two German citizens, and six Argentinian citizens.
Hamas hands over 11 hostages to Red Cross, Israel says
The next group of hostages to be released, in line with the agreement between militant-Islamist Hamas and Israel, has been handed over to the Red Cross, the Israeli army said.
The group includes 11 hostages who have been held in Gaza since Hamas launched its attacks on Israel on October 7.
US and UN welcome announcement of truce extension
Both the United States and the United Nations have expressed their support for the extension of the humanitarian pause in fighting in Gaza.
Qatar announced the extension earlier on Monday, but it had not yet been confirmed by Israel at the time of the comments from the White House and UN chief Antonio Guterres.
"Of course, we welcome the announcement," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "We would of course hope to see the pause extended further, and that will depend upon Hamas continuing to release hostages."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the extension, saying: "It's a glimpse of hope and humanity in the middle of the darkness of war and I strongly hope that these will enable us to increase even more the humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza that is suffering so much."
Without more time, "it will be impossible to satisfy all the dramatic needs of the population in Gaza," he added.
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