Israel and Hamas Reach Cease-Fire and Hostage Exchange Agreement, Releasing 17 Hostages and 39 Palestinian Minors from Israeli Prisons.

A cease-fire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has resulted in the release of seventeen hostages held by Hamas and dozens of Israeli hostages. The agreement has also seen the release of the first American to be released by Hamas in Gaza, a four-year-old named Abigail, as well as the release of 39 Palestinian minors from Israeli prisons.

The pause in fighting is set to end at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning local time, however Israel has said it is willing to extend the agreement by one extra day for every 10 additional hostages released by Hamas. A Hamas representative has said the group does want to extend the truce, so there is hope that more Israeli hostages could be returned in the days ahead, and more Palestinian prisoners released in return.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum said Sunday that the hostages freed by Hamas included 4-year-old American citizen Abigail Mor Edan, as well as Hagar Brodutch, 39, and her three children, Ofri, 10, Yuval, 8, and Uriah, 4.

The agreement between Israel and Hamas has been welcomed by the international community, with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praising the “courageous efforts” of all involved in the negotiations. He also called on both sides to “build on this momentum to reach a comprehensive and sustainable peace.”

The cease-fire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been a positive step towards peace in the region, and it is hoped that the agreement will be extended and more hostages released in the days ahead.