Terrorist-branded Hamas has on Sunday handed over 14 Israeli citizens as hostages and three of other nationalities to the Red Cross in Gaza, the Israeli army announced in a statement.
“Based on information received from the Red Cross, 14 Israeli hostages and three foreign hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross,” the statement said, reports the AFP news agency.
According to BBC twelve people have been escorted by the Red Cross from northern Gaza to southern Israel, four via Rafah in Egypt and one had to be taken directly to hospital by helicopter.
Mediator Qatar announced shortly thereafter that 39 Palestinians will be released from Israeli prisons to be exchanged during the evening.