Israel releases 39 Palestinian prisoners after Hamas hands over 17 hostages

International

Fourteen Israeli hostages, including nine children, have been released by Hamas.

Three foreign nationals have also been handed over to the Red Cross.

In exchange, Israel has released 39 Palestinians prisoners, its prison service says.

Today is the third day of a four-day pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has handed over hostages on each day, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners released by Israel.

Gazans have been using the pause in fighting to get desperately-needed supplies of fuel, food and medicine.

Hamas’s attacks on 7 October killed 1,200 people, with about 240 taken hostage.

Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 14,500 people have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory campaign.__Courtesy bbc.com