Hamas Frees 3 Israeli Hostages as Part of New Deal with Israel

91 hostages remain in Gaza as a six-week agreement aims to secure further releases and a temporary ceasefire.

Three Israeli women, held captive by Hamas for 471 days, were released as part of a negotiated exchange involving Palestinian detainees.
The agreement outlines the release of 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase, with four more expected to be freed on Saturday.
The deal coincides with a six-week ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, where over 47,000 deaths have been reported during the conflict.
Israeli military and political leadership face scrutiny for their response to the October 2023 Hamas attack, with the army chief announcing his resignation.
Efforts to rebuild Gaza and ongoing negotiations for the release of remaining hostages highlight the fragile state of the region.