Islamic Jihad announces release of Israeli women, children held in Gaza

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group issued a statement late Tuesday confirming the release of Israeli women and children it had been holding in the Gaza Strip.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement, Muhammad al-Hindi, confirmed that the group's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, handed over the civilian hostages.

"We can accept the all-for-all equation regarding the detainees. If Israel is ready to release all our prisoners, then we are ready," Al-Hindi said in an interview with the Al Jazeera Media Network.

"The enemy's choices are difficult regarding the hostages because it failed to recover them militarily. Israel's tone of preparing for war is to influence the course of the negotiations," he said.

"The performance of the resistance and the steadfastness of our people is what will decide the fate of the battle," he said, pointing out that "Israel may be forced to end the aggression in light of the increasing losses."

Qatar announced an agreement late Monday to extend an initial four-day humanitarian pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas for an additional two days, under which further prisoner exchanges will be carried out.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed over 15,000 people, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.