Hamas Releases 3 Frail-looking Israeli Hostages

February 9, 2025 5:57 am

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas-led militants have released three gaunt, frail-looking Israeli hostages and Israel has freed 183 Palestinian prisoners in the fifth exchange of a ceasefire that has paused the war in Gaza. The hostages’ condition and scenes of Hamas forcing them to speak in the handover sparked outrage in Israel. Families again feared for the dozens of others still held in Gaza. Not all are alive. It could increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the ceasefire. Up next are talks on the truce’s more difficult second phase, when Hamas is to release dozens more hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire.