Hamas handed over a third batch of hostages to Red Cross officials on Sunday as part of a four-day ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war, increasing hopes of an extended truce with the release of further hostages in the following days.
With the liberation of 14 Israelis and three Thai citizens on Sunday, the radical outfit Hamas has now released 58 prisoners since Friday.
According to Israeli officials, almost 180 captives taken in the October 7 terrorist strikes are still in the hands of radicals in Gaza.
In exchange for the 17 liberated inmates, another 39 Palestinian captives were released from Israeli prisons on Sunday, as was the situation the day before.
The exchange is part of a four-day ceasefire arrangement negotiated by Qatar that is set to endure until at least Tuesday morning.
Officials on both sides of the conflict, as well as in the United States and Qatar, have voiced hope for a longer truce than the four days originally agreed upon.
Following the release of a third batch of hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the arrangement allows for an extension in exchange for the release of 10 additional prisoners per day.
