Israel-Hamas ready for more hostage releases

Releases made in several stages are key to deal brokered by Qatar & Egypt

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• As part of the pact, Israel has so far released 78 Palestinian women and children held in its prisons

Israel and Hamas prepared for a third day of hostage releases from Gaza, after a last-minute dispute on Saturday threatened to derail a fragile truce, while talks continued behind the scenes to extend the four-day cease-fire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday it had received a list of names of abductees whom Hamas is due to hand over later in the day. American citizens are expected to be part of the next group of hostages released. Since Friday, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza has freed 26 Israelis, some with dual nationalities, as well as 14 Thai nationals and one Filipino citizen.

The releases made in several stages are key to a deal brokered by Qatar and Egypt that's brought a pause of fighting in the more than six-week war, and allowed the flow of further humanitarian aid into besieged Gaza. As part of the pact, Israel has so far released 78 Palestinian women and children held in its prisons.