IDF says 17 people freed by Hamas in third group released
Roughly a dozen and a half hostages were released from Hamas in Gaza on Sunday, the latest group to be freed.
The 17 hostages who were released on Sunday marks the third consecutive day where Hamas released hostages as a part of the temporary ceasefire with Israel that commenced on Friday.
"Based on information that was received from the Red Cross, 14 Israeli hostages and three foreign national hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Sunday evening local time.
In total, Hamas agreed to free roughly 50 hostages — women and children — over the course of a roughly four- to five-day period, though there is the possibility that the temporary ceasefire could be extended if Hamas releases additional hostages.
Officials believe Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another terrorist group based in Gaza, are holding roughly 240 people, hostage, meaning that the entirety of the deal as currently constructed would free less than 25% of the hostages who have been held for more than six weeks.
United States officials indicated ahead of Sunday's release that one of the three American women or children would likely be among the group of people released on Sunday.
