Israel: Temporary ceasefire to continue
Israel confirmed on Thursday morning that a temporary ceasefire with Hamas is continuing.
Freed hostages brought to Sheba Hospital near Tel Aviv on Nov. 28, 2023. Photo by Gideon Markowicz/TPS
“In light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework, the operational pause will continue,” the Israel Defense Forces announced minutes before the ceasefire was due to expire at 7:00 a.m.
Since November 23, when the temporary ceasefire went into effect, Hamas has released 97 hostages, mostly women and children including 73 Israelis, 23 Thais and one Filiipino.
Israel has released 210 Palestinian security prisoners, mostly women and minors.
At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on Oct. 7. Another 240 men, women, children and soldiers were taken back to Gaza as hostages. Some people remain unaccounted for as Israeli authorities continue to identify bodies and search for human remains.
