American girl, 4, among 17 hostages freed on third day of cease-fire

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Hamas released 17 hostages on Sunday, the third day of a four-day cease-fire, including 4-year-old American Abigail Edan. Thirteen Israelis and four Thai citizens were released after hours of delay, bringing the total to 26 Israelis of the 50 expected to be freed from Gaza.

In exchange, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom are minors, a Qatari spokesman said.

Aid trucks continued to flow into Gaza under protection of the cease-fire, including much-needed fuel. The aid brings relief for civilians who have been suffering for weeks as supplies of food, water and medicine ran low.

The Israeli military has urged civilians who fled to southern Gaza not to return home and warned that it is preparing for the next phase of the war once the pause ends.

More than 1.7 million people have been displaced in Gaza, where health officials say the death toll has surpassed 14,500 after weeks of Israeli attacks. The Israel Defense Forces estimate 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, with more than 200 people held hostage in Gaza.


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