'Ceasefire Day 3' Israel Releases 17, Pal Releases 39 "Pursuing Ceasefire Extension"

Palestinian armed group Hamas and Israel maintained a temporary ceasefire for the third day on the 26th (local time), continuing the exchange of hostages and prisoners.

On the evening of the 26th (local time), the Israeli military announced in a statement that it had received a total of 17 hostages, including Israelis and foreigners, from Hamas. Israel also released 39 Palestinian prisoners held in its prisons. The Israeli military and the Shin Bet intelligence agency explained that 13 hostages were handed over by the Red Crescent at the separation barrier in central Gaza, not at the Rafah border crossing on the Egyptian side.

The military authorities took 12 of them to a nearby air force base to check their health condition. One other released hostage was immediately transported to a hospital by helicopter. The remaining four, including three Thais and one dual Russian-Israeli national, were handed over to Israel through the Rafah border crossing.

Earlier, the Israeli military stated that among the 17 people to be released, 14 were Israelis and three were foreigners. On the other hand, Hamas said it handed over 13 Israeli hostages, three Thais, and one Russian to the Red Crescent, showing some differences from the Israeli military's explanation. This appears to be due to the difference in considering the Russian national with Israeli dual citizenship, whom Hamas separately announced would be released first, as either an Israeli or a foreigner.

A convoy carrying Israeli hostages released by the Palestinian armed group Hamas in the Gaza Strip arrived at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan on the 26th (local time). Hamas released 13 Israelis and 4 Thais who had been held hostage on the second day of the temporary ceasefire.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden said in an emergency national address that "four-year-old American Abigail is one of the 13 hostages released today from Gaza." He added, "My goal is to extend the temporary ceasefire to secure additional hostage releases," and said, "We will continue this ceasefire beyond tomorrow to allow more hostages to be freed and humanitarian aid to reach Gaza." This is the first release of a U.S. national since the ceasefire began.

Hamas also stated in a press release that "after the four-day ceasefire ends, we are pushing to extend it" and "we are working to increase the number of those released as specified in the agreement on the humanitarian ceasefire." Foreign media, citing sources, reported that Hamas is considering releasing up to 40 additional hostages. Israel also expressed its intention to continue efforts for the return of hostages but emphasized its determination to fight Hamas to the end.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Gaza for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict, stating, "There are three goals: eliminating Hamas, returning all hostages, and ensuring Gaza never again threatens Israel." He emphasized, "We are working to bring all hostages back, and eventually, they will all return."

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, "We are committed to ensuring all hostages return as soon as possible," but also stated, "Once the temporary ceasefire ends, we will immediately fight Hamas." On the same day, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi conducted a situation assessment to approve the resumption of military operations in Gaza after the temporary ceasefire.

Earlier, Israel and Hamas agreed on a four-day ceasefire and the release of 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners.

On the first day of the ceasefire, the 24th, Hamas released 13 Israeli hostages and 11 foreigners, and on the second day, the 25th, it released 13 Israelis and four foreigners. Israel also released 78 Palestinians detained in its prisons over the past two days in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.