France Hopes for Release of Hostages Among Its Citizens After Truce Between Israel and Hamas

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna stated today, Wednesday, that Paris hopes for the release of eight of its citizens believed to be held hostage following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Colonna said on France Inter radio: "We hope that there are French citizens among the first batch of hostages to be released." The Israeli government and Hamas agreed today, Wednesday, to halt fighting for four days to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, as well as to permit humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.