Ceasefire extended, Hamas to release more hostages in exchange for prisoners

The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip entered its fifth day on Tuesday, after both sides agreed to extend it by two more days to free more Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Eleven hostages were returned to Israel from the Gaza Strip on Monday, bringing to 69 the total number of Palestinian and foreign nationals the militant group has released so far as part of the ceasefire. In return, Israel released 33 prisoners in the West Bank and Jerusalem, bringing the total to 150.

The White House and Qatari negotiators said Monday that the initial four-day pause had been extended by two more days. But the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, that time is not enough to meet the needs of the Gaza Strip.

"It is a glimmer of hope and humanity amidst the darkness of war. I hope that this will enable us to increase even more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza who are suffering so much, but it will be impossible to fulfill all the needs of the citizens", said Guterres.

According to the renewed agreement, Hamas will release 20 more women and children, and for each of them 3 Palestinians will leave Israeli prisons. The militant group that rules Gaza is not holding all prisoners in the Gaza Strip, something that could complicate efforts to free the most vulnerable.

Among the 11 hostages released on Monday were the 3-year-old twins Emma and Yuli and their mother Sharon Aloni Cunio. 12-year-old EitanYahalomi, who also holds French citizenship, was also released. Thus, Israeli forces clashed with dozens of Palestinians gathered outside the Ofer prison awaiting the release of the convicts. Some of them waved the flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Authorities said 1 Palestinian was killed in the area.  (A2 Televizion)