Breaking Story...Updated later….
Hamas has started the process of exchanging the fifth round of hostages, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
The names of the hostages to be transferred to Red Cross convoys and then to Israel were not yet confirmed as the process began. Israel typically releases their names once they are out of Hamas’ custody….
NY Times….
Twelve more hostages taken from Israel on Oct. 7 were released on Tuesday in exchange for 30 imprisoned Palestinians. Most of the hostages were Israeli women, but two Thai nationals were also freed.
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The latest hostage release includes three members of a family.
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Relatives describe the trauma of child hostages freed by Hamas.
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The brief extension creates short-term benefits for both sides.
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Here’s what we know about the hostages released on Tuesday.
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A French hospital ship docked in Egypt has begun treating injured Gazans, a French official says.
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Israel says Hamas is holding the remains of three soldiers killed during the Oct. 7 attacks.
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CIA Director Burns, on the ground in the Middle East, is trying to get more Americans released…..
He is also seeking a longer multiday pause in fighting while taking into account the Israeli demand that Hamas release at least 10 people for every day there is a break in the war, those familiar with the matter said on the condition of anonymity to detail sensitive discussions.
Crucially, Burns is pushing for the immediate release of American hostages held by Hamas. U.S. officials put the number of those hostages at eight or nine….
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President Biden leans on the Israeli’s to NOT start a bombing campaign in South Gaza….
The Biden administration has told Israel that it must work to avoid “significant further displacement” of Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza if it renews its ground campaign aimed at eradicating the Hamas militant group, senior U.S. officials said.
The administration, seeking to avoid more large-scale civilian casualties or mass displacement like that seen before the current temporary pause in the fighting, underscored to the Israelis that they must operate with far greater precision in southern Gaza than they did in the north, the officials said, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
Amid mounting international and domestic pressure about the rising Palestinian death toll, the White House has begun to put greater pressure on Israel that the manner of the coming campaign must be “carefully thought through,” according to one of the officials. The Israelis have been receptive when administration officials have raised these concerns, the official said….
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Here’s what we know:
Qatar said the two sides had agreed to prolong their cease-fire for two more days. A long pause could slow the momentum of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
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The brief extension creates short-term benefits for both sides.
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The C.I.A. director arrives in Qatar for talks on hostage releases.
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U.S. officials have urged Israel to fight more surgically in Gaza.
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As Israel releases Palestinian prisoners, it arrests dozens more.
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The Palestinian activist and author Ahed Tamimi faces indefinite detention after a hearing.
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Slight slippage in cease fire actions….
Israel and Hamas both reported at least one violation of the temporary truce agreement in the Gaza Strip on November 28, but neither side escalated the situation to more general fighting across the strip. Both parties claimed that the other bore responsibility for the violations. Neither side indicated an intention to resume hostilities as a result of the violations, however. Israeli Army Radio reported that Palestinian fighters detonated three improvised explosive devices (IED) targeting Israeli forces in two separate attacks. Palestinian fighters detonated two remotely detonated IEDs targeting IDF soldiers boarding armored vehicles near Rantisi Hospital, which is along the agreed truce line, in one attack. Palestinian fighters also detonated one IED and fired small arms at Israeli forces in an unspecified location, according to Israeli Army Radio. Israel said the two attacks “slightly” wounded five Israeli soldiers. Hamas’ military spokesperson said that there was “field friction” in the northern Gaza Strip that was part of a “clear violation by [the IDF] of the truce agreement.” The spokesperson said Hamas remains committed to the pause in fighting.