The release planned for Thursday would be the third so far as Israel and Hamas observe a six-week truce, part of a multiphase agreement that mediators hope will end the war in Gaza.

Jerusalem — An Israeli official said Wednesday that Hamas will release three Israelis, including two women and an 80-year-old man, and five Thai nationals in the next hostage release, slated for Thursday.

Hamas plans to release three Israeli hostages on Thursday that include a dual American citizen and a civilian whose status last week threatened to disrupt the fragile ceasefire between the militant group and Israel.

Steven Witkoff, who played an important role in brokering the truce between Israel and Hamas, met with Israel’s prime minister. He was also expected to visit Gaza.

Trump sent Witkoff to ensure the ceasefire agreement advances to the second phase, which will require hashing out more thorny questions about Gaza’s future.

Fear hits east Jerusalem as Israel moves to close UN Palestinian refugee agency - On Thursday, laws passed by Israel in October come into effect banning the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, known as UNRWA,

Israeli officials have not spelt out how they will enforce the legislation passed last year by Israel's parliament, which accused Unrwa of being complicit with Hamas - an allegati

Implementation of a ban on the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA in Israel - due to start on Thursday - will be disastrous, the UNRWA chief told the Security Council on Tuesday, as the United States accused it of being "irresponsible and dangerous.