International Red Cross concludes release of 17 Gaza-held hostages

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Saturday it had concluded the release of 17 hostages held in Gaza.

"Our teams have transported these 17 people from within Gaza to the Rafah border, where they were handed over to Israeli authorities," an ICRC spokesperson said in an email to Reuters. The ICRC team consisted of eight staff members, including a doctor, travelling in four vehicles, he said.

The neutral, Swiss-based organisation already facilitated the release and transfer of Gaza-held hostages and Palestinian detainees on Friday under the terms of a four-day truce.