On the first day of the four-day cease-fire, Hamas released 24 of the about 240 hostages taken during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison. During the four days, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel has said the truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed — something United States President Joe Biden said he hoped would come to pass. FIRST HOSTAGES FREEDAfter nightfall Friday, a line of ambulances emerged from Gaza through the Rafah Crossing into Egypt carrying the freed hostages. Netanyahu has also vowed to continue the war to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities, end its 16-year rule in Gaza and return all the hostages.

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Persons: KHAN YOUNIS, Israel, Joe Biden, Khan Yunis, Schneider, —, Yael Adar, ”, Tamir Adar, Kibbutz Nir Oz, Zichri, Keren Munder, Ruti, Benjamin Netanyahu, Abdulqader Khatib, Iyas, ” Iyas, Majed al, Ansari, Yoav Gallant, Netanyahu, ___ Organizations: Gaza, United Nations, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, West Bank, Medical, Israel’s, “, Palestinian Prisoners ’ Club, Foreign Ministry, U.S, Israeli, Health Ministry Locations: Gaza, Israel, Philippines, Rocketfire, Khan, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Egypt, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beitunia, Qatar, Bangkok, Magdy, Cairo, ___, israel