30 Palestinian prisoners released as Gaza ceasefire deadline approaches

Israeli prison officials said thirty Palestinian prisoners were released on Wednesday night. This was the last exchange under the extended ceasefire agreement due to expire in a few hours.

"During the night, 30 male and female security prisoners were released from several prison facilities," the country's prison service said in a statement.

Among those released was Ahed Tamimi, a 22-year-old activist who has become a leading figure for Palestinians challenging the Israeli occupation.

He was detained for an Instagram post, which his family has denied, in which Israeli sources said he had insulted Israel. Had called for genocide and made reference to Hitler.

Her mother Narimaane, whose husband has also been detained, said Ahad is not even able to open a social media account.

The overnight release of a sixth batch of hostages from Gaza brings to 210 the number of Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel under the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas and other militants in Gaza have released 70 Israelis under the agreement. Also, about 30 hostages of other nationalities have also been released outside the ceasefire framework.

The freed hostages and prisoners have been greeted with celebrations by friends and family, but there have been nights of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces outside Ofer prison.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said five people were injured, one of them seriously, in a fire outside the prison overnight.

It remains to be seen if the temporary truce is extended further. The USA and Qatar have been pressuring Israel to extend the ceasefire to allow release of the hostages and Palestinians prisoners from the Israeli jails.

Israel has so far not indicated if it is willing to extend the truce further though sources said that it may agree to extend the same.