Israel releases 30 Palestinian prisoners in latest exchange: prison authorities

Thirty Palestinian prisoners were freed overnight Thursday in the latest exchange under an extended truce deal due to expire within hours.

The prisoners -- including 23 minors and seven women -- were released hours after eight Israeli hostages were freed by Hamas. The truce agreement between Israel and Hamas stipulates that a minimum of 10 Israeli hostages should be released alive each day.

Since it came into force on November 24, the truce agreement has resulted in the freeing of 110 hostages, including 80 Israelis. The majority of the 30 non-Israeli hostages freed were from Thailand, released under a separate agreement. Israel has freed 240 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.