"hamas"

The Hamas-linked Prisoners' Information Office said that the seventh and eighth batches of prisoner releases were merged, bringing the total number to 642, Xinhua news agency reported

There were no immediate reports of casualties. However, eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions as flames and smoke rose from one targeted site. They added ambulances had rushed to the scene, Xinhua news agency reported.

The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners had been delayed for several hours and was meant to occur just after six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday. It was meant to be the largest one-day prisoner release in the Gaza ceasefire’s first phase

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend a fragile Gaza ceasefire beyond the first phase, even as US President Donald Trump repeated his pledge that the US would take control of the Palestinian enclave

The five returnees -- Sathien Suwannakham from Nong Bua Lam Phu, Pongsak Thaenna from Buri Ram, Watchara Sriaoun from Udon Thani, Surasak Rumnao from Udon Thani, and Bannawat Saethao from Nan -- were welcomed with tearful embraces, marking the end of their harrowing ordeal

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the hostages were transferred from central Gaza to the IDF and the Israel Security Agency before crossing into Israel.

Trump's executive order said the ICC's recent actions "set a dangerous precedent" that endangered Americans by exposing them to "harassment, abuse and possible arrest"

Hamas declared the Gaza Strip a "disaster zone", warning of an unprecedented catastrophe that threatens the lives of its over 2.4 million people, as widespread destruction continues and essential resources run out

The list of the three people intended for release, sent to Israel on Friday, includes 54-year-old Israeli-French citizen Ofer Calderon, 65-year-old Israeli-American citizen Keith Siegel, and 35-year-old Israeli civilian Yarden Bibas.

This will be third such release since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took hold earlier this month

The visit comes as the United States pressures Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza

22 killed as Israeli forces also open fire in Lebanon on protesters demanding their withdrawal under a separate ceasefire with Hezbollah

The list includes Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, army observers aged 19-20 who were abducted by Hamas from the Israeli army's surveillance base at Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, near the Gaza Strip border

The call was Rubio's first with Israel since the administration of Republican President Donald Trump took office on Monday.

"Tonight I'm going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons, to get them out," Trump said, using a shorthand for people charged with crimes for their alleged actions on January 6, 2021

In Tel Aviv, thousands of people gathered to watch the news on large screens erupted in cheers

The Prime Minister cautioned Hamas to follow the rules of the deal.

The statement provided no further details about the incident, the health condition of the Israeli captive, or the targeted location.

The initial release prioritises women, children, elderly individuals, and those who are ill or injured.

Reflecting on the challenging path to this agreement, US President Joe Biden remarked that this was one of the toughest negotiations he has ever experienced.