Tel Aviv - A fifth day of the Israel-Hamas truce in the Gaza Strip unfolded on Tuesday, marked by the completion of the release of Israeli hostages and detained Palestinians. The ongoing pause in hostilities, extended by two days, raises the prospect of further releases.

Approximately 240 hostages were taken by Hamas in an October 7 incursion into southern Israel, leading to 1,200 casualties. Israel retaliated with airstrikes and a ground offensive. On Monday, 11 Israelis returned from Gaza, bringing the total hostages freed to 69 under the truce.

The White House and Qatari negotiators announced the two-day extension. While Israel has not officially commented on the extension, the government approved adding 50 female prisoners to its potential release list. The truce extension is implicitly confirmed as Israel's government has received a list of hostages expected to be released on Tuesday, reported by Israel's Army Radio to include 10 hostages. The prime minister's office has not yet commented on the report.