More hostages released as Israel-Hamas truce extends by two days

More hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have returned to Israel via Egypt, as part of the humanitarian truce brokered between both parties.

The truce which was supposed to have ended on Monday was extended by two days to fulfill a clause of the deal.

Under the terms of the original truce agreement, Hamas needs to release an additional 10 hostages for each additional day of pause in the fighting.

The latest release of hostages happened on Tuesday evening according to the office of the Israeli prime minister, comprising 10 Israelis and two Thai nationals.

In return for the freed hostages from Gaza, 30 Palestinian prisoners were released from different Israeli jails, according to the Israeli prison authority.

Among them were 15 women, some of them minors, and 15 male minors, the youngest being 14 years old.

This puts the total number of hostages released by Hamas at 81, including 61 Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 180 Palestinian prisoners.

As part of the agreement, more humanitarian aid has also been allowed into the Palestinian enclave that has been under near-total siege.

At least 750 trucks had crossed the Rafah border into Gaza since Friday — an estimate of about 150 trucks per day.

It is unclear if there would be a further extension of the truce but negotiators say they are pressing hard, adding that there are enough women and children in Hamas captivity to extend the pause in fighting by two additional days before the discussion turns to men and soldier hostages.

Israel, however, has vowed to continue its military campaign in Gaza against Hamas once the truce agreement runs out.

In a tweet on Wednesday, the IDF reiterated its warning to residents of the enclave, asking them not to move to northern Gaza, which is considered a war zone.

“You can only move to the south of Wadi Gaza via the Salah al-Din Road. It is forbidden to approach within a kilometer of the border. Entry into the sea is prohibited,” the IDF said.

“For your safety, obey these instructions.”

Foreign leaders and global humanitarian organisations have also called for an extension in the truce between Hamas and Israel.