Gaza truce holds ahead of hostage release, Trump's visit to Israel

CAIRO/JERUSALEM A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held in Gaza for a third day on Oct 12, ahead of the expected release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an address by US President Donald Trump to Israel's Parliament.

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Palestinians walking amid rubble in the aftermath of an Israeli offensive carried out before a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached, at Shati (Beach) refugee camp in Gaza City on Oct 12. Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas is due by noon on Oct 13 to release the remaining hostages, taken captive on Oct 7, 2023. Israel is also to release 1700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since then.

(PHOTO: REUTERS)

Thousands of Palestinians continued to travel north towards Gaza City, the focus of Israeli attacks over the past two months, hopeful the ceasefire would bring an end to the war.

"There is a lot of joy among the people," said Mr Abdou Abu Seada, adding that the joy was tempered by exhaustion after two years of war that have destroyed much of Gaza.

Israel's hostages coordinator Gal Hirsch, in a letter to relatives of the captives that was seen by Reuters, said it was expected that the hostages would start being released on Oct 13.