Israeli authorities release 39 Palestinian prisoners

(Patria) - Israeli authorities have released 39 Palestinian prisoners, including six women and 33 children, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported early Sunday.

According to the report, six women and 33 young men under the age of 19 were released. They were received by their families in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

As a condition of the agreement, Hamas militants first had to release Israeli hostages held in Gaza before the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody, local reports state.

Following the release of 13 Israeli hostages and four foreign nationals, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.

Egypt, the United States, and Qatar mediated a four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in exchange for 50 civilian hostages for Palestinian prisoners. After the truce expired, Israeli commanders and Hamas said they expected fighting to resume.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated on Saturday that Israeli forces would continue attacks on the Gaza Strip immediately after the temporary humanitarian pause agreed upon with Hamas concludes.

"We will immediately return to maneuver in Gaza, eradicate Hamas, and exert significant pressure to free the majority of hostages held in Gaza," the Chief of Staff said, as reported by the Israel Broadcasting Corporation.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7.

Since then, at least 14,854 Palestinians have been killed, including 6,150 children and more than 4,000 women.

The official death toll in Israel is around 1,200.