Eleven Israeli women and children, previously held by Hamas, were freed, while 33 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel. The extension, announced by Qatar, raised hopes for further truce extensions and allowed more aid into Gaza, where conditions remain dire for the Palestinian population.
The exchange marked the fourth release under the original four-day truce. The total number of Israelis freed is now 51, with 19 hostages of other nationalities. Hamas might still be holding up to 175 hostages, potentially extending the cease-fire for two and a half weeks. However, challenges persist as Israel maintains its commitment to crush Hamas' military capabilities and end its rule over Gaza.
The release of hostages, ongoing negotiations, and the extension of the cease-fire contribute to the complex dynamics of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
