Planned exchange of captives for prisoners comes as 50 Palestinians due to leave by Rafah crossing for hospitals abroad.

The next test for Israel and Hamas will come on February 2nd, when talks resume on the next stage of the ceasefire—which includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all of Gaza and the release of more hostages. Whether the ceasefire can endure will depend on those discussions. ■

Dual U.S.-Israeli national Keith Siegel is among the 3 hostages expected to be released by Hamas in the fourth swap with Israel.

The European Union on Friday started its support mission for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. The mission "will support Palestinian border personnel and allow the transfer of individuals out of Gaza,

The European Union has recommenced its civilian mission to monitor the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. This initiative seeks to facilitate the crossing of injured Palestinians and support the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Italy says monitoring mission, which was halted when Hamas seized control of Strip in 2007, 'was launched at the request of Israel and the PA'

Hamas has survived Israel’s 15-month war in the Gaza Strip. Now, the militant group is replenishing its ranks, although restocking its weapons supplies will be more difficult.

Hamas handed Agam Berger over to Israel, the first of eight hostages expected to be released from Gaza on Thursday. In exchange, Israel is set to release 110 Palestinian prisoners, including about 30 people serving life sentences, in the third swap since the Gaza cease-fire and hostages agreement came into effect earlier this month.

Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt is to reopen Saturday following a fourth exchange of hostages and prisoners under a truce agreement, a Hamas

Israeli occupation authorities on Thursday released 110 Palestinian prisoners, including Zakaria Zubeidi, one of the six escapees from Gilboa Prison in the “Freedom Tunnel” break. This release came as part of the third phase of the ongoing prisoner swap under the ceasefire agreement, with Hamas releasing three Israeli detainees in return.

JERUSALEM: Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt is to reopen Saturday (Jan 31) following a fourth exchange of hostages and prisoners under a truce agreement, a Hamas official and a source with know