Israel has identified an additional 50 female Palestinian prisoners who may be released in exchange for more hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as a fragile pause in fighting stretched into a fifth day. The four-day combat pause mediated by Qatar was extended by 48 hours and could be renewed again, offering hope to the families of hostages and respite to Gazans under a weeks-long Israeli air and ground assault. Since the pause began Friday, 150 Palestinians, 51 Israelis and 18 foreign nationals have been released, the United Nations said, including one American, 4-year-old Abigail Edan. About eight Americans remain in Hamas’s hands, according to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. As Israel says it plans to resume its assault in southern Gaza after the pause ends, a senior Biden administration official said “it is extremely important” that Israel avoid “significant displacement” of civilians.
