India, Oct. 13 -- Hamas released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross on Monday, the first to be freed as part of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the two-year Israel-Hamas war. There was no immediate information on their condition.

The terrorist group has said that 20 living hostages will be exchanged for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The key exchange follows a breakthrough ceasefire agreement after two years of devastating conflict.

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The hostages were taken during Hamas' terror attack on October 7, 2023, when terrorists stormed southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others. That attack triggered the war that has raged for ...