The International Red Cross yesterday confirmed that two hostages taken captive from Israel by Hamas in the ongoing war between the country and the Palestinian militants have been released.
An Israeli government official told international media that the names of the freed captives are Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz.
This brings the total number of hostages released by Hamas to four. Two American-Israelis, mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan, were released from captivity on Friday.
In its latest estimate, Israel says that more than 200 hostages are being held by the militant group after its attack on 7 October.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has said the blast at Gaza’s Al Ahli hospital last week was likely caused by a missile fired from within Gaza.
Sunak said British intelligence believes the explosion was “likely caused by a missile or part of one.”
He told the House of Commons that the “misreporting” of the blast had a “negative effect in the region.”
Hamas blamed the incident on an Israeli strike, but Israel said a misfiring Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket was responsible.
The Hamas-run health ministry had said the blast killed 471 people while Israel put the figure at “several dozen.”
Earlier yesterday, the health ministry in Gaza said 436 people had been killed in the past 24 hours, as Israeli air strikes continue.
Israel said it targeted Hamas infrastructure, including tunnels, with 320 targets hit in a day.
More than 1,400 Israelis were killed when Hamas attacked communities near Gaza, shooting civilians dead in their homes, in the streets and at a music festival.
Gaza’s health ministry said more than 5,000 people have been killed since Israel began bombing the territory in response, flattening entire neighbourhoods.
This brings the total number of deaths since the violent conflict erupted about three weeks ago to 6400.