Hamas exchanges more hostages to Israel for jailed Palestinians on 3rd day of temporary truce
CBC
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was back on track Sunday as the militants freed 17 more hostages and in turn, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners, all young men.
It was the third exchange under a four-day truce that the U.S. says it hopes will be extended.
Hundreds of Israelis draped in flags cheered as freed hostages, waving, arrived at an air force base. Some hostages were handed over directly to Israel, while others left through Egypt.
The hostages released by Hamas ranged in age from four to 84, and included Abigail Edan, a four-year-old Israeli-American girl whose parents were killed in the attack that started the war on Oct. 7.
In all, nine children ages 17 and younger were on the list, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Three more Thai nationals were released.
A relative of some of the Israeli hostages, Aharon Brodutch, spoke to CBC's Rosemary Barton Live about his hopes that his sister-in-law and her three children — a 10-year-old daughter and sons, ages eight and four — would be released soon.
The four were kidnapped by Hamas during an attack on their kibbutz, Kfar Aza on Oct. 7. The Canadian Israeli says he recently flew to Israel as he and his brother anxiously wait for news of their safe return.
"I think the fight is not over until every last hostage is out, and hopefully it can all be done in one go," Brodutch said.
"I don't understand the politics of the situation, but I'm hoping that it does continue and that we get everyone out."
Separately, dozens of Palestinians returned to a hero's welcome in the West Bank on Sunday after being released from Israeli prisons.
The 39 young men, wearing grey prison garb, were welcomed by several hundred well-wishers in central Ramallah. The crowd hoisted the men on their shoulders. Many waved victory signs and held green Hamas flags.
A fourth exchange is expected on Monday — the last day of the ceasefire during which a total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed.
International mediators led by the U.S. and Qatar are trying to extend the ceasefire.
Hamas said it wanted to extend the truce if serious efforts were made to increase the number of Palestinian detainees released by Israel.