Fourth Day of Israel-Palestine Ceasefire: Hostage Exchange "Extension Agreement" (Comprehensive)

11 Hostages and 33 North Korean Prisoners Exchanged in 4th Swap

On the 27th (local time), the last day of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, the exchange of hostages and prisoners continued, and the ceasefire period was extended by two more days. With Hamas agreeing to release additional hostages, Israel reiterated its determination to eradicate Hamas after the ceasefire, maintaining pressure.

According to major foreign media, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they received custody of 11 hostages from Hamas through the Islamic Red Crescent on this day. Daniel Hagari, the IDF chief spokesperson, said, "The military and Shin Bet have taken custody of the 11 returned kidnapping victims," adding, "We will first check their health condition."

A spokesperson for the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on social media platform X that among the Israeli hostages released from the Gaza Strip were 3 French nationals, 2 German nationals, and 6 Argentine nationals. All of them hold dual citizenship. Among the released hostages, 2 are adult women, and the remaining 9 are minors under 18 years old. Military authorities explained that the fathers of the released minors are still held in the Gaza Strip.

Two Thai hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas and later released are seen talking with officials at a hospital in Israel on the 26th (local time).
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Israel is also scheduled to release 33 Palestinian prisoners held in its prisons on the same day. Hamas has released a total of 50 Israeli hostages over four days from the first day of the ceasefire to this day, according to the agreement with Israel. Israel had released 117 Palestinian prisoners by the previous day, and with the additional release of 33 prisoners on this day, the promised total of 150 releases will be completed.

On the day before the four-day temporary ceasefire ended, both sides agreed to extend the ceasefire by two days. Thus, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began at 7 a.m. on the 24th, will continue until the morning of the 30th. Hamas will release 20 Israeli hostages over the next two days, and Israel will sequentially release 60 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated after announcements from Qatar and the United States about the ceasefire extension agreement, "We are continuing to implement the agreed plan regarding the hostages." After concluding a ministerial meeting to approve the wartime cabinet budget, Netanyahu told reporters, "We are also continuing to advance key objectives such as the release of hostages, the elimination of Hamas, and ensuring the prevention of threats from re-emerging in the Gaza Strip."

Meanwhile, Israel reiterated its intention to resume combat immediately after the ceasefire ends to "shatter Hamas." Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with IDF soldiers and said regarding the post-ceasefire situation, "Only a few days remain now," adding, "We will return to combat and increase our efforts." He emphasized, "We must remember that while we rest and reorganize our ranks, the enemy has done the same."

Minister Gallant warned Hamas, saying, "They will face air force bombings, tank shells, bulldozer pressure, and infantry gunfire," and stressed, "We will fight throughout the Gaza Strip."

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