Israel-Hamas Conflict: Israeli Army Says Hamas Transferred Its Youngest Hostage To Another Group

DJs perform at Nova music fest massacre site

Several DJs played music to an empty space at the site of the Nova music festival near Israel's border with Lebanon that Hamas operatives attacked on Oct. 7. Instead of a live audience, the DJs performed in front of the photos of the people killed by Hamas and those believed to have been abducted by the terror group from the event.

Qatar reportedly says it can't verify number of hostages still with Hamas

The Qatari foreign ministry said it cannot verify the exact number of hostages still in Gaza under Hamas captivity after the additional twenty are released Tuesday and Wednesday, Sky News Arabia reported.

Israel, Hamas signal interest in expanding terms of hostage-prisoner exchange deal

Israel and Hamas have signalled the possible expansion of a truce deal that could go beyond the terms of the existing agreement.

Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said it has initiated a new ceasefire deal with Israel that could see the release of male hostages being held by the terror group, Reuters reported, citing Al Jazeera.

"We hope the Occupation (Israel) abides (by the agreement) in the next two days because we are seeking a new agreement, besides women and children, whereby other categories that we have that we can swap," Al-Hayya said.

Al-Hayya did not explain the terms of a potential new deal, but observers noted that his comments suggest a different hostage-prisoner exchange formula from the 1-Israeli-to-3-Palestinians ratio under the current extended ceasefire agreement.

Israel has yet to confirm Hamas' supposed offer for a new deal, but the Israeli cabinet late on Monday added 50 female prisoners to the roster of pre-cleared 300 Palestinian women and teenaged males slated for release, as per Reuters.

Blinken thanks Qatar for its 'critical efforts' in hostage release talks

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken thanked Qatar Tuesday for its "critical efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas," as per a statement from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Blinken also discussed during a call with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani the importance of sustaining the surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Israeli shell falls in southern Lebanon: Arab media

An Israeli shell fell near Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, Arab media reported, citing the Lebanese National News Agency. The IDF has yet to report if it fired into Lebanese territory.

The report comes following weeks of fire exchanges between Israeli air defense forces and Iran-backed paramilitary group Hezbollah near Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

3 young French hostages among those freed: Foreign minister

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna expressed joy and "relief" over the confirmation that three young French nationals were among the 11 hostages Hamas released Monday.

"Three French children were finally freed, now we must work relentlessly for the release of all the other hostages," she said. There are still five French citizens either missing or believed to be held hostage in Gaza.

Hostages were 'briefed' how to act in front of cameras by Hamas: IDF spox

Some of the freed hostages told Israeli troops how they were "briefed and how they were told how to act in front of the cameras by Hamas media people," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said in an interview Tuesday.

"It appears of tremendous importance for Hamas to stage the whole handover process, and they want to see – they want to see smiling faces and waving hands, and our hostages holding the hands of their captors," he said.

His comments came after X (formerly Twitter) users pointed out how Yagil Yaakov, one of the children released by Hamas Monday, appeared to "shrug" just after waving goodbye to a Hamas operative in a documentation video of the hostage transfer published by the militant group.

Israeli troops clash with Palestinians in Tubas: local media

Israeli forces are clashing with Palestinians in Tubas, a city in the West Bank, local media reported. The IDF reportedly fired an anti-tank missile at a house and arrested a wanted suspect from the residence.

Bibas family, including 10-month old baby, handed over to another group: IDF

The Bibas family, which includes 10-month-old Kfir, were abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz, but have been handed over to another Palestinian faction, IDF spokesperson for Arab media Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee said in a Google-translated post.

Adraee said the family of four, Yarden, 34, his wife Shiri, 32, and 4-year-old Ariel, were being held somewhere in the Khan Yunis area.

Freed hostages start sharing their experiences in Hamas captivity

Merar Raviv, whose three relatives were held hostage by Hamas since Oct. 7 and were released Friday, said her abducted loved ones were fed irregularly and mainly had rice and bread for food. They also slept on rows of chairs pushed together and at times had to wait hours before being allowed to use the bathroom.

Doctors have warned that being held captive takes a massive psychological toll on victims. The Israeli government has offered counseling and other forms of support for released hostages.

Israeli army to hold military exercise amid ceasefire

Israeli troops will hold a military exercise at the Binyamin Bridge area "in order to maintain the alertness and competence of the forces," the IDF said in a Google-translated post Tuesday.

The IDF said "a lively movement of the security forces" should be expected in the said area during the exercise, which will end sometime in the afternoon.

Loved ones of released siblings call for the release of the children's father

Ido Dan, a relative of Sahar Kalderon, 16, and her brother Erez, 12, who were freed by Hamas Monday, called for the release of the children's father, Ofer, who remains captive in Gaza.

He said the family understands that it was the "beginning of a difficult rehabilitation process for Sahar and Erez, who are still young and have been through an unbearable experience."

Dan also called for the release of all the remaining hostages who are being held in Gaza by Hamas and other militant groups.

German ambassador to Israel expresses joy for release of Yaacov brothers

Germany's ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert said he was "overjoyed" to know that brothers Or and Yagil Yaacov have been freed by Hamas and are now reunited with their mother. He also reminded the world to not forget that the brothers' father, Yair, remains in Hamas captivity.

Or and Yagil were among 11 hostages released Monday.

Biden reiterates two-state solution 'only way' for long-term peace

Biden on Tuesday reiterated that "a two-state solution is the only way to guarantee the long-term security of both the Israeli and Palestinian people."

His comments came as the two sides agreed on a two-day extension to the four-day ceasefire that included the release of dozens of hostages being held by Hamas.

Hamas expected to make greater demands for soldiers' release

Hamas is "likely" to up its demands for the release of Israeli soldiers even if the ceasefire gets extended enough to get more than 150 other hostages freed, the Associated Press reported.

Under the four-day truce agreement, women and children have been freed by the terror group in exchange of a greater number of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. It is unclear if the two-day extension of the ceasefire deal will see male hostages released.

Israeli army continues monitoring operations in Gaza

The Israeli army continues its patrolling operations in Gaza as the ceasefire has been extended for another two days, according to photos posted by the IDF on X.

84-year-old hostage freed by Hamas 'denied lifesaving medication' by Hamas: IDF

Elma Avraham, 84, who was among the hostages released by Hamas over the course of the four-day ceasefire, was "kept in a harsh condition" and "denied lifesaving medication," according to IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Avraham was "in a critical condition" upon her release, he added, noting that while she is now being given the medical attention she needed since she was abducted on Oct. 7, "who's taking care of other hostages in Gaza?"

Hagari went on to call on all international groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) "to use every tool at their disposal" to gain access to all the hostages remaining in the enclave and ensure that they receive the appropriate medical care.

11 hostages freed Monday in stable condition

All of the hostages released by Hamas on Monday are in stable condition, the Ichilov Hospital said, as per local media. "This is an exciting and complex night at the same time," said Dr. Ram Sagi from the Israeli Health Ministry.

The hostages were flown to Ichilov Hospital by military helicopters where they received "medical and psychological treatment as needed."

Majority of released hostages Monday were children

The Israeli government released photos of the 11 hostages released by Hamas Monday, revealing that majority of them were children, including 3-year-old twins Ema and Yuli Cunio.

Freed hostages reach Tel Aviv

The 11 hostages who were freed by Hamas on Monday have reached Tel Aviv, multiple outlets reported. The freed hostages have been reunited with their loved ones, as shown in a photo posted by Netanyahu's office wherein released hostage Eitan Yahalomi was met by his mother upon his return.

8 trucks carrying cooking gas, fuel reach UN groups

Eight containers carrying cooking gas and fuel have been delivered to UN humanitarian groups in the Gaza Strip, the IDF said Monday. The deliveries were made as part of the truce agreement with Hamas.

Aside from the separate fuel and gas trucks, 200 other humanitarian aid trucks carrying food, medical supplies and other necessities reached international aid organizations across the enclave Monday.

Netanyahu meets Steinmeier

Netanyahu met with Germany's Steinmeier Monday and commended the German president "for visiting the country and for being a true friend of Israel."

Before meeting Netanyahu, Steinmeier visited Kibbutz Be'eri with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Kibbutz Be'eri was one of several settlements that Hamas operatives ransacked on Oct. 7. Germany has also announced a $7.6 million donation to help rebuild the devastated kibbutz.

10 hostages to be freed Tuesday

A total of 10 hostages will be freed Tuesday after Hamas forwarded the list of abductees slated for release on the first day of the ceasefire's extension. The families of the hostages have been informed, Haaretz reported.

White House does not believe Hamas deliberately held back releasing 2 Americans

Two American women, who were initially believed to be among the 50 hostages Hamas will release as part of the four-day ceasefire agreement, were not among the abductees freed Monday.

The White House said it would not conclude at this point that Hamas "intentionally" held back the release of the two American citizens, CNN reported, citing an unnamed senior Biden administration official.

11 hostages, 33 Palestinians freed Monday

Hamas released a total of 11 hostages Monday, Netanyahu's office confirmed, bringing the total number of freed hostages to 69 — mostly women and children. "Their families have been updated by the responsible officials," the Prime Minister's office wrote on X.

Israel, on the other hand, freed 33 Palestinians who were detained in Israeli prisons, multiple outlets reported, citing the Israel Prison Service. The detainees were from prisons in Megiddo, Ktzi'ot, Damon, Ramon and Ofer. As of Monday, Israel has freed 150 detained Palestinians.

Israel, Hamas agree to extend ceasefire

The parties have agreed to extend their truce for two more days, Majed Al Ansari, official spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said in a post on X Monday.

Al Ansari's confirmation came following reports that Egypt and Qatar were exerting all efforts to reach an agreement for the truce to be extended even with reported disagreements regarding Monday's hostage and prisoner lists.