More hostages freed as attack rocks truce

Relief for reunited families but Hamas slays three in Israel

- CHRIS HUGHES

EIGHT Gaza hostages were freed yesterday despite Hamas threatening its shaky ceasefire with Israel by killing three people in Jerusalem.

Israeli hostages Mia Schem, 21, and Amit Soussana, 40, were released early on Thursday in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners - and a further six were handed over hours later.

But as Qatari and Egyptian mediators desperately tried to extend the sevenday truce, three people were killed and 16 wounded in a bus stop shooting in Jerusalem by two Palestinian gunmen.

Hamas quickly claimed responsibility for the atrocity by brothers Murad, 38, and Ibrahim Namer, 30, who were shot dead by police shortly after opening fire. The terror group celebrated the assault, calling it "a natural response" to Israel's actions in Gaza and elsewhere.