Hamas frees third batch of hostages

GAZA/JERUSALEM — The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released on Sunday the third batch of hostages from the Gaza Strip under a temporary cease-fire agreement with Israel, with the final day of an agreed four-day pause in the fighting due to end on Monday.

"Within the framework of the humanitarian truce, we handed over to the Red Cross 13 Israeli detainees, three Thais, and one Russian," Al-Qassam said in a press statement.

Israeli Army Radio said part of the handover process took place in the northern Gaza Strip, adding that "a number of detainees crossed the border from a point between Gaza and Israel".

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a daily briefing on Monday: "Steps toward peace, however small, should be encouraged. Difficulties in protecting civilians, however daunting, must be overcome with every possible effort."

China welcomes all efforts that are conducive to promoting a cease-fire and easing the situation, Wang said. "We call on all parties concerned to earnestly implement UN Security Council Resolution 2712 and the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly at its emergency special session."

The Israeli army confirmed in a statement that it had received from the International Committee of the Red Cross the 13 Israeli hostages, including four women and nine children, with the youngest being 4 years old.

The army explained that "the Red Cross crews handed over 12 hostages to the Israeli Army Special Forces and the Shin Bet internal security agency at the border fence in the central Gaza Strip, who will then transport them to the Hatzerim Airbase".

It added that the 13th one, an 84-year-old woman suffering from a medical condition, was airlifted directly to Soroka Hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva.

According to the Israeli Army Radio, "the four foreign hostages were transferred to Egypt via the Rafah Crossing by the Red Cross, before heading for the meeting point with Israeli troops in Israeli territory".

Meanwhile, the Palestine Liberation Organization's prisoners department published a list of 39 Palestinian prisoners released on Sunday evening, including 21 from Jerusalem, one from the Gaza Strip, and the rest from the West Bank.

Mediation efforts

At the same time, mediation efforts have been intensified to extend the current cease-fire, according to Palestinian sources.

"Qatar and Egypt conveyed a draft agreement to Israel and Hamas on extending the cease-fire due to expire Monday and facilitating a larger prisoner swap between the two warring sides," the sources, who wished to be anonymous, told Xinhua.

The sources said the discussions involved the release of 40 to 50 captives from Gaza, coupled with increased aid into the Strip to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

Israel and Hamas have raised concerns over the lists of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners due to be released on Monday, Reuters reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement on Sunday that he might agree to extend the truce by a few days if Hamas would free more hostages.

According to a statement from a Hamas representative on Sunday night, "Hamas is seeking to extend the cease-fire beyond the four days that were initially agreed upon with Israel."

The temporary cease-fire in Gaza entails a cessation of hostilities and an increased flow of aid trucks into the Palestinian enclave.

Delegations from the European Union member states and Middle Eastern and North African countries met on Monday in Barcelona, Spain, to discuss the crisis in Gaza. Forty-two delegations were scheduled to gather at the event.

Iran on Monday called for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza to stop Israel's "crimes" in the territory.

Xinhua - Agencies