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The Israeli army has reportedly launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, leaving five Palestinians injured, according to local sources.
More than 50 units of combat equipment are said to be involved in the operation, with Israeli forces reportedly surrounding local hospitals and conducting searches in residential areas.
As tensions escalate on the ground, Hamas, the Islamist group governing the Gaza Strip, has released 12 Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
This development comes on the fifth day of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which, despite ongoing talks, is still fragile.
The hostages, consisting of 10 Israeli citizens and two Thai nationals, are now in Israeli territory, as announced by the office of the Israeli Prime Minister.
Since the initiation of the truce between Israel and Hamas, a total of 81 hostages, all women and children, have been released, providing a glimmer of hope amid the persisting conflict.
Hamas is actively engaged in negotiations to extend the ceasefire, with Ghazi Hamad, a representative of the political wing of Hamas, indicating that the group is in continuous contact with Qatar and Egypt. Efforts are underway to establish a permanent ceasefire and bring stability to the region.
Amid these developments, Washington has indicated that Israeli authorities are willing to extend the temporary truce for an additional 2-3 days.
The goal during this time is to secure the release of the majority of hostages held by Hamas.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains steadfast in his commitment to continuing the military campaign in Gaza to dismantle Hamas once the ceasefire expires. “We have absolutely no other choice,” emphasized Netanyahu.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The delicate balance between diplomatic negotiations and the realities on the ground will likely determine the fate of the region in the coming days.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members