More hostages freed as mediation on Gaza truce extension ongoing

Hamas released a third group of hostages on Sunday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners on day three of a truce, which multinational efforts are mediating to prolong.

"Within the framework of the humanitarian truce, we handed over to the Red Cross 13 Israeli detainees, three Thais, and one Russian," Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said in a press statement.

The Israeli army confirmed receiving the 13 hostages from the International Committee of the Red Cross, including four women and nine children, the youngest being four years old.

In exchange, 39 Palestinian prisoners were freed on Sunday evening, including 21 from Jerusalem, one from the Gaza Strip, and the rest from the West Bank.

Sunday's releases bring the total number of Israeli hostages freed under the deal to 39 since Friday.

There were 24 and 17 hostages released in the first two batches respectively on Friday and Saturday. Those released were among around 240 people Hamas captured on the October 7 attack.

The truce deal reached between Israel and Hamas also stipulates the release of 50 Israeli female and teen hostages from Gaza in exchange for some 150 Palestinian women and children freed from Israeli prisons, with provisions for increasing the number of releases at subsequent stages of the agreement.

Mediation efforts ongoing

Mediation efforts have been intensified to extend the current Israel-Hamas humanitarian cease-fire.

"Qatar and Egypt conveyed a draft agreement to Israel and Hamas aiming to extend the current four-day cease-fire and facilitate a larger prisoner exchange between the two sides," Xinhua reported, citing Palestinian sources.

Hamas has shown initial willingness regarding the Qatari-Egyptian proposal. According to a statement from a representative of the group on Sunday night, "Hamas is seeking to extend the cease-fire beyond the four days that were initially agreed upon with Israel."

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he might agree to extend the truce with Hamas by a few days if Hamas would free more hostages.

In a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden, Netanyahu said he would "welcome" the truce extension on the basis of an additional day for every additional ten hostages released, as outlined in the Qatari-mediated truce deal, according to an Israeli video statement.

On Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told BFMTV that "it would be good, helpful and necessary" to extend the truce until all hostages, who include French nationals, are freed.

More humanitarian aid needed

The temporary ceasefire in Gaza, entering its third day, entails a cessation of hostilities and an increased flow of aid trucks into the Palestinian enclave.

Since Friday, over 500 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including food, medical equipment, water, fuel, and cooking gas, have entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing, according to United Nations reports.

Though more aid is reaching Palestinians struggling to survive with shortages of water and other essentials, Adnan Abu Hasna, a spokesman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, warned of "unprecedented" humanitarian needs.

"We should send 200 lorries a day continuously for at least two months," he said.

The UN estimates that 1.7 million of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced by the fighting.

"We need such humanitarian aid, but we also need security. We hope the international community could pressure Israel to stop the conflict against us in Gaza," said Mohammed Afana, a Beit Lahia-based Palestinian man.

(With input from agencies)