Hamas releases six hostages in first phase of ceasefire deal with Israel

Hamas has released six hostages, including three Israeli men taken during the October 7, 2023, attack, in exchange for 600 Palestinian prisoners. This marks the end of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement. The hostages were handed over in staged ceremonies, criticized by the Red Cross and Israel. Two of the released individuals had been held for nearly a decade after entering Gaza voluntarily. The ceasefire has paused intense fighting between Israel and Hamas, but concerns remain about the potential for renewed conflict. Approximately 60 hostages are still unaccounted for, with future negotiations expected to be challenging.