Israel-Hamas Truce

The Story

The trucebetween Israeland Hamas is holding.

Tell me.

Since Friday,the two sides exchanged hostages and prisoners as part of a cease-fire deal. The agreement hasn’t been without hiccups (see: this delay). Here’s where things stand with the:

Hostages: On October 7th,Hamasand other militant groupstook an estimated 240 people fromIsrael hostage. Since Friday,Hamashas released a total of 39Israeli women and childrenand more than a dozen foreign nationals— including from Thailand,Russia,and the Philippines.They range in age from 2 to 85 years old, with children as young as 10 months old still in captivity.Among those freed includes4-year-oldAbigail Edan— an Israeli-American girl who President Biden said witnessed her parents killed in the attacks.

Prisoners: In exchange for the hostages,Israel agreed to freea total of 150Palestinian prisoners.So far, Israelhas released 117 prisoners — mostly womenand children, with the youngest reportedly being a 14-year-old boy.Some of them had been in prison for years for charges relating to attacks onIsraelis, including attempted murderand throwing stones.Others had been detained without knowing the charges against them.

What’s next?

The truce could be extended. Yesterday, Hamassaid it wants to continue the cease-fire as a way to “increase the number of those released from imprisonment.” Israelhas said it would extend the pause in fighting an extra day for every 10 additional hostages freed.Qatarand the US have also backed an extension as a way to get more hostages —including those held by other militant groups —and more aid trucks intoGaza.

theSkimm

This has been the longest pause in fighting since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war. Now, the possibility of an extended halt is raising hopes that more families could be reunited.