Israel Hamas war

The three college students were reportedly wearing traditional Middle Eastern scarves and speaking Arabic when they were shot.

Abigail Edan, whose fourth birthday passed while she was in captivity, is among 14 Israelis and two other foreign nationals released by Hamas on Sunday.

Hamas had earlier delayed the release of 13 Israelis and four foreigners for several hours, saying Israel had violated the terms of a truce deal that had set the stage for such swaps.

Authorities suspect Tehran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard carried out the assault.

The hostages freed Friday included 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines, according to Qatar. The agreement opened the way for sorely needed aid to flow into Gaza for beleaguered residents.

A cease-fire to facilitate the release of dozens of people taken hostage during Hamas’ raid on Israel is expected to bring the first respite to war-weary Palestinians in Gaza and a glimmer of hope to the families of the captives.

A four-day cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas will began Friday morning, Qatar said, a day later than originally announced, as negotiators worked out final details of the deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser says a planned hostage-for-prisoner swap with Hamas has been delayed until at least Friday.

Israel’s Cabinet has approved a cease-fire deal with the Hamas militant group that would bring a temporary halt to a devastating war now in its seventh week.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has said negotiations over a potential cease-fire and hostage release deal in its final stages, according to multiple reports.

Health officials said 31 premature babies in “extremely critical condition” were transferred safely Sunday from Gaza 's main hospital and will go to Egypt.