World News

Twelve more hostages taken from Israel on Oct. 7 were released on Tuesday in exchange for 30 imprisoned Palestinians. Most of the hostages were Israeli women, but two Thai nationals were also freed.

After repeated mechanical setbacks, the operation turned to trained miners using manual tools to clear the final stretch of debris.

Qatar said the two sides had agreed to prolong their cease-fire for two more days. A long pause could slow the momentum of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The strategies used by the Indigenous community policing alternative are in stark contrast to more muscular tactics pitched by the incoming government.

Qatari officials, who helped negotiate the initial deal, said Israel and Hamas had agreed to pause fighting for another two days.

With a four-day truce set to expire, both Israel and Hamas said they are open to extending it to allow more hostages and Palestinian detainees to be freed.

Hamas released a total of 17 more hostages on Sunday, including one American — Avigail Idan, who turned 4 on Friday. The group said it was seeking to extend the truce, which is slated to continue into Monday.

The return to a normal life will be a long process, doctors say.

A fishing town that was evacuated this month will probably be spared, but residents can’t return until all danger has passed.

Families that waited outside a prison for the release of people detained by Israel said the conflict in Gaza and the rising death toll had cast a pall over any celebration.