Gaza truce may be extended as more hostages freed _ BBC News

There are strong signs that the four-day ceasefire agreement in Gaza may be extended. Hamas has released a third group of hostages and Israel has freed more Palestinian prisoners.

Both Israel and Hamas have indicated that they are considering extending the truce with the possible release of more captives. The United States has said it hopes the ceasefire agreement will be extended. However the Israeli government has also indicated that its military operation in Gaza is not over.

17 more hostages were in the third group released by Hamas, including Israeli women and children, a Russian national and three Thai citizens. Israel released 19 Palestinians from prison.