Israel’s Gaza invasion – Day 52: Israel, Hamas prepare for a fourth exchange of hostages and prisoners

Israel and Hamas are preparing for a fourth exchange of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel on Monday.

A day earlier on Nov 26, Hamas freed 17 more hostages including 14 Israelis and three Thais — in a third exchange under the four-day truce.

In turn, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.

Of the roughly 240 hostages captured by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that ignited the war in Gaza, 62 hostages have so far been released, among them, one was freed by Israeli forces and two were found dead inside Gaza.

As mediators seek to extend a cease-fire in Gaza that is set to expire after Monday, Nov 27, Israel has said it would extend the cease-fire by one day for every 10 additional hostages released.

The temporary truce brought increased shipments of fuel and supplies to Gaza however, the aid groups say that it’s still barely enough to dent the needs of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who have endured 52 days of Israel’s Gaza invasion.

On the other hand, Palestinian authorities have demanded the Israeli military release information about more than 100 people thought to have been detained in Gaza during its assault on the territory since October 7, AFP reported.

The head of the Palestinian Authority’s commission for prisoners, Qaddura Fares, said on Sunday that Israeli officials had told him at one point their side had made 105 arrests.