INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Israeli authorities said 14 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip and 42 Palestinian prisoners would be released on the second day of a
mandates exchanges at a ratio of three to one, and an Israeli official source said 14 hostages would be handed over.On the first day of the
four-day cease-fire, Hamas released 24 of the about 240 hostages taken during its October 7 attack on Israel.On the same day, Israel freed
39 Palestinians from prison
Those freed from captivity in Gaza were 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals and a Filipino.During the four days, Hamas is to release at least 50
Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners.Israel has said the truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10
first quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians reeling and desperate from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands, driven
three-quarters of the population from their homes, and levelled residential areas
Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well.Source: Khaleej Times/AFP
