11 Israeli Hostages Arrive in Israel, Israel-Hamas Exchange of Detainees Enters New Phase

Eleven Israeli hostages, freed from captivity in the Gaza Strip, arrived in Israel on Monday, the Israeli military announced. They are set to undergo medical assessments before reuniting with their families. The group includes Sharon Aloni Cunio, Emma Cunio, Yuli Cunio, Karina Engel, Mika Engel, Yuval Engel, Eitan Yahalomi, Sahar Kalderon, Erez Kaldaron, Or Yaakov, and Yagil Yaakov.

In a move to facilitate ongoing negotiations with Hamas, the Israeli Government Secretariat has requested ministerial approval to expand the list of potential prisoners for exchange. This expansion would add about 60 names to the 300 already approved, providing Israel with more flexibility in the prisoner swap discussions. According to the agreed terms, Israel releases three Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli hostage freed.

This development follows the confirmation from a White House official that Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend the current truce in Gaza. Specific details of the extension, however, remain undisclosed.