Hamas Sets Free Two More Hostages but Talks Held Up Over Release of Larger Group

Hamas set free two more civilian hostages on Monday, but negotiations over a possible release of a group of 50 captives stumbled over the militant group’s demand that Israel allow fuel deliveries into Gaza, according to officials familiar with the talks.

Hamas said it was releasing the two hostages, a pair of elderly women, on humanitarian grounds. Egyptian officials confirmed that the two hostages were released at Gaza’s Rafah border crossing.