Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters handed over several hostages Tuesday to the Red Cross in Gaza, an AFP journalist saw, part of an exchange under the terms of an extended truce in the Israel-Hamas war.
The Israeli hostages, all women, were handed over by masked and armed fighters, some from Hamas and others from Islamic Jihad, to Red Cross officials in Rafah near the border with Egypt, the journalist said.
Shortly afterwards, the Israeli military said in a statement that "based on information that was received from the Red Cross, 12 hostages - including 10 Israelis and two foreign nationals - are on their way toward Israeli territory".
The release of the two foreign hostages came in addition to the release of the 10 Israelis under the terms of the deal.
French warship hospital receives first Gaza wounded: minister
A French warship sent to Egypt to treat wounded from the Gaza Strip has received its first patients, a French minister said on Tuesday.
The Dixmude arrived on Monday in the Egyptian town of El-Arish near the border with Gaza and on Tuesday received the patients, said Sebastien Lecornu, France's army minister. The vessel is equipped with two operating blocs, 40 beds and 80 medical personnel, he said.