It is the final release of hostages and prisoners in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which began last month.

Trump suggests that Ukraine may be to blame for conflict with Russia; Palestinians flee northern West Bank amid Israeli crackdown on militants; Hamas says more hostages will be released; Winter storm heads for East Coast.

Hamas described Israel’s actions as “a serious violation of international law and a blatant war crime committed in full view of the world.”

Hamas says it won’t rejoin talks until Israel releases 620 Palestinians, as the Gaza ceasefire hangs by a thread.

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire in central Rafah as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement.

The Government Media Office updated its death toll to at least 61,709, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7,

A poll conducted by Maariv showed that 70% of Israelis support implementing the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal.

At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 taken captive. For more on Israel’s continued attacks in the occupied West Bank, see here. Read here about how and why pro-Palestine protests on US campuses are growing smaller.

Hamas returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross and some of the 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been released into the West Bank to their families, marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.

Four coffins said to contain the remains of Israeli hostages have been received by Israel, as Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in an overnight exchange as part of the fragile ceasefire deal.

The bodies of four Israelis held hostage in Gaza returned to Israel on Thursday in the latest release under a ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Hundreds of people gathered in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis where Hamas handed over four black coffins to the Red Cross,