Hamas releases third group of hostages as part of truce deal, while Netanyahu visits Gaza

JERUSALEM (AP) — The fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was back on track Sunday as the militants freed 17 more hostages, including 14 Israelis and the first American, in a third set of releases under a four-day truce that the US said it hoped would be extended.

Some hostages were handed over directly to Israel, while others left through Egypt. Israel's army said one was airlifted directly to a hospital. US President Joe Biden said the elderly woman was "very sick and was in need of immediate medical help."

The hostages ranged in age from 4 to 84 and included Abigail Eda

"What she endured was unthinkable," Biden said of the first American freed, adding he did not know the child's condition but could confirm she was safely in Israel. He did not have updates on other American hostages and said it was his goal to extend the cease-fire deal as long as possible.

In all, nine children ages 17 and younger were on the list, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Separately, Hamas said it had released one of the Russian hostages it was holding, "in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin" and as a show of appreciation for Moscow's position on the war. The Russian-Israeli citizen was the first male hostage to be freed.

Israel was to free 39 Palestinian prisoners later Sunday as part of the deal. A fourth exchange is expected on Monday — the last day of the cease-fire during which a total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed. All are women and minors.

International mediators led by the US and Qatar are trying to extend the cease-fire.

Ahead of the latest release, Netanyahu visited the Gaza Strip, where he spoke with troops. "We are making every effort to return our hostages, and at the end of the day we will return every one," he said, adding that "we are continuing until the end, until victory. Nothing will stop us." It was not immediately clear where he went inside Gaza.

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