Israel-Gaza: Hamas scrambles to find hostages as truce extended – live

A mother and her three-year-old twin daughters were among the 11 hostages released yesterday on the fourth day of a truce between Israel and Hamas.

Sharon Aloni-Cunio, 34, and her three-year-old daughters Emma and Yuli were being held captive by Hamas since they were taken from their home kibbutz Nir Oz.

Her husband, David Cunio, and his brother, Ariel, are still believed to be in captivity in Gaza.

The family was abducted during the attack on 7 October while seeking refuge in a secure room.

Following the arson of their house by Hamas, the family was seized as they attempted to flee the flames.

Sharon’s sister, Daniele Aloni, and her daughter, who were also taken captive, were released last Friday.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Emma as “an open-hearted and amazing child, full of love. A true kibbutz girl who prefers trucks and mechanical tools over dolls”.

It said her sister Yuli “was shy, and in the weeks before her kidnapping she became more open and smiley to her surroundings”.

Another mother and seven other children were among the latest batch of freed hostages.

Federal law enforcement agencies are investigating whether the shooting of three Palestinian college students in Vermont was a hate crime.

A white gunman fired at the three men, all in their 20s, at least four times without saying anything while they were walking near the University of Vermont, according to police. The students were speaking English and Arabic and wearing keffiyehs.

Two of the victims remain in stable condition, while one of the men remains hospitalised with serious injuries.

Here’s more on what US Natioanl Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told CBS on Monday night:

“We’re still in active discussions with all the parties here about potential extensions of the deal.

“Over the weekend the president was able to get this extension over the finish line, we’ll keep at itI couldn’t tell you right now as we’re talking if there’s going to be an extension and what that could look like in terms of length of days and number of hostages.

“We know that Hamas has more hostages either that they are holding or that they can get access to. So the pool is much larger than what we’ve been able to get out so far obviously.So we want to see this extended for as long as it possibly can take.”

Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend a ceasefire for two more days – in a breakthrough that could see dozens of additional hostages released and more lifesaving aid flow into war-ravaged Gaza.

The decision offers a rare glimmer of hope of a possible end to the conflict that has caused “unparalleled and unprecedented” bloodshed, according to the United Nations.

Bel Trew reports from Jerusalem.

A list of Israeli hostages to be freed today has been received by Israeli prime minister’s office.

The families are being notified, the office said.

So far, Hamas has released 51 Israelis and 18 foreigners since the ceasefire began on Friday.

The pause in fighting has meant the UN has been able to increase urgent aid deliveries to Gaza.

Israel released 33 Palestinian prisoners from jails following the freeing of 11 Israeli hostages from Gaza. It brings the total number of Palestinians freed since Friday to 150.

Pictures show crowds greeting the prisoners as they arrived in the West Bank.

An Israel-Hamas truce in the Gaza Strip has been extended to a fifth day today as both sides complete the release of Israeli hostages and detained Palestinians – and more could be freed today.

The truce as been extended by two days – however, it is a limited deal, according to Israel which still holds the intention to send forces back into the territory.

We’re hearing from the the Palestinian health ministry this morning that there were clashes outside the Ofer pirson in Israel where dozens of Palestinians who gathered to await the prisoner release on Monday.

Some of the protesters waved the flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militant group.

The ministry said a Palestinian was killed in the area, and that it was unclear if he had participated in the clashes.

Haartez journalist Ben Samuels slammed Israeli officials on Monday for their “repulsive” embrace of Elon Musk, after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured a destroyed kibbutz with the Twitter owner.

“Welcoming such a toxic mogul with open arms and taking him around sites of a massacre that has been belittled, demeaned and denied on his watch should be a stain on Netanyahu’s legacy,” Mr Samuels wrote.

Here’s more detail on Musk’s controversial visit to Israel.

Among the 11 Israeli hostages released yesterday were three young French nationals; Eitan, 12, Erez, 12, and Sahar 16.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna welcomed the news this morning, stating they were in good health.

“We have indirect news and that news is good… It is a great, great relief,” she told RTL radio, when asked about the health of children.

“Three French children were finally freed, now we must work relentlessly for the release of all the other hostages,” she said, adding that five French nationals were still missing or believed to be held hostage.

Hamas on Monday released 11 hostages from Gaza, also including two with German nationality and six with Argentinian nationality.

The 11 Israeli hostages released on Monday were all taken to Israel’s Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv for medical consultation.

Medical and psychological specialists were on hand to treat them.

‏”We wish to remind you that these are sensitive moments for the freed hostages and their families and we wish to preserve their privacy,” the health ministry said in a statement to CNN. “The entire health system is prepared to receive anyone who will return to Israel and is preparing for tomorrow.”