More Israeli hostages freed as Jerusalem bus stop attack threatens ceasefire
More Gaza hostages were freed yesterday despite Hamas threatening its shaky ceasefire with Israel by killing three people in Jerusalem.
Israeli hostages Mia Schem, 21, and Amit Soussana, 40, were released early on Thursday and a further eight were expected to be handed over in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners. But as Qatari and Egyptian mediators desperately tried to extend the seven-day truce, three people were killed and 16 wounded in a bus stop shooting in Jerusalem by two Palestinian gunmen.
Hamas quickly claimed responsibility for the atrocity by brothers Murad, 38, and Ibrahim Namer, 30, who were shot dead by police shortly after opening fire. The terror group celebrated the assault, calling it “a natural response” to Israel’s actions in Gaza and elsewhere. Hamas handed Israel the names of 10 hostages to be released by last night.
Released Israeli hostage Moran Stela Yanai, 40, meets her family (Courtesy/UPI/REX/Shutterstock)It is believed to have included the remains of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas, his brother Ariel, four, and mother Shiri, 32 – who Hamas claims died in a pre-truce Israeli air strike on Gaza. There have already been claims Kfir and his family were not being held by Hamas but another group after being kidnapped on October 7 as militants killed more than 1,200 people in attacks in southern Israel and captured 240.
Police investigate the Jerusalem site where three Israelis were killed (Anadolu via Getty Images)The Mirror understands an extension of the deal beyond tomorrow morning is a tough negotiation as Hamas is demanding more of its prisoners be freed. International pressure is mounting for the ceasefire to continue for as long as possible after nearly eight weeks of Israeli blitzes killed 15,000.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to press for truce extensions and more hostage releases. He said: “This process is producing results. It is important and we hope that it can continue.”
Released Palestinian prisoners from the Ofer Israeli military prison are greeted by relatives (ALAA BADARNEH/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Hamas has freed at least 10 Israeli hostages per day in exchange for Israel’s release of at least 30 Palestinian prisoners. The initial truce – which began on Friday and has been extended twice – called for the release of women and children. Israel says Gaza militants still hold some 30 women and children. For soldiers and men, Hamas is expected to push for comparable releases of Palestinian men or prominent detainees – which Israel may resist. Tel Aviv says around 125 men are still held hostage, including several dozen soldiers. With yesterday’s expected releases, a total of 110 will have been freed, mostly Israelis.
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