Israel-Gaza updates: Israel says ground operation underway in southern Gaza

The six Israeli hostages released Thursday night as part of the deal between Israel and Hamas are on their way to hospitals, according to the Israel Defense Forces. They will be reunited with family members at that time, the IDF said in a release early Friday morning local time.

"The 6 released hostages are currently on their way from the Hatzerim Base to hospitals, where they will reunite with their families," the IDF said in the release.

The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was extended Thursday for one day in part due to mediators, who brokered another day. No update was provided about what will happen on Friday.

A 14-year-old survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack described how she hid in a safe room in her kibbutz for hours in an interview with ABC News' Kayna Whitworth on Thursday.

"The fear of what might happen -- that was the most terrifying part," Eli Shani Kozin said on ABC News Live.

While she hid, hearing gunfire and knocks at their door, Eli said she would see messages on WhatsApp from other children sharing what happened to them, such as seeing their houses set on fire.

"I kind of accepted death. I felt like, there's no way I'm going to get out of here safely," said Eli, whose father was killed and cousin kidnapped on Oct. 7.

At a news conference in Israel on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated that "Israel has the right to do everything it can to ensure that the slaughter Hamas carried out on Oct. 7 can never be repeated."

9:14

Blinken delivers remarks following meeting with Netanyahu

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israel will resume military operations if hostage releases cease, but it's imperative Israel act in accordance with humanitarian law.

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"Hamas cannot remain in control of Gaza," Blinken said, but he reiterated Israel’s obligation to minimize civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.

He said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Netanyahu's war cabinet that it's imperative that "the massive loss of civilian life and displacement of the scale that we saw in northern Gaza not be repeated in [southern Gaza]."

"We made clear the imperative that before any operations go forward in southern Gaza, that there'd be a clear plan in place that puts a premium on protecting civilians, as well as sustaining and building on the humanitarian assistance that's getting into Gaza," Blinken said. "And the Israeli government agrees with that approach.”

-ABC News' Nate Luna

Six more Israeli hostages were released Thursday evening and are back in Israel, according to the Israeli prime minister's office.

They were identified as: 29-year-old Shani Goren, 41-year-old Nili Margalit, 30-year-old Ilana Griczewski Kimchi, 29-year-old Sapir Cohen, 18-year-old Bilal Elziadna and 17-year-old Aisha Alziadna.

This comes hours after two other Israeli hostages were released: 21-year-old Mia Schem and 40-year-old Amit Sosna.

In exchange for the eight hostages released Thursday and two Russian citizens who were released Wednesday, Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners -- 23 minors and seven women -- on Thursday, according to the Qatari foreign minister.

9:30

6 more Israeli hostages have been freed

The release of these hostages follows the release of 2 other Israelis earlier Thursday. Thirty Palestinian prisoners are set to be released as part of this exchange.

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