We’re pausing our live coverage for the next hour or so, so here’s a quick recap on where things stand in the Israel-Gaza war.
Fourteen Israeli and three foreign nationals were released from Gaza today.
Among them was Abigail Idan, a four-year-old girl with joint Israeli and US citizenship. Both her parents were killed in the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel that triggered the war.
President Biden welcomed her release, saying she had been through terrible trauma.
Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners in return. Crowds gathered in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to welcome them home.
The exchange comes on the third day of a fragile four-day pause in fighting. Gazans have been using the opportunity to get in much-needed supplies of fuel food and medicine.
The BBC’s Lucy Williamson says that both sides appear to be edging towards an extension to the current pause.
Hamas has said it is seeking to extend the truce and increase the number of hostages released – 24-hours before the current deal expires.
And a senior Palestinian official has told the BBC that Hamas told negotiators it was ready to extend the pause by up to four days.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has talked about his “framework”, under which the release of 10 extra hostages could lead to another day of pause in the fighting.
But he also said that after the framework ends Israel will return to its goals, which include the elimination of Hamas.
You can continue to follow our coverage of the conflict with these key stories.
BBC
