Israel and Hamas reached a deal to resolve a disagreement over the exchange of a female civilian hostage that had threatened to derail the truce. Lebanon, however, saw the deadliest day since Israel’s truce with Hezbollah took effect.

The three civilians form the first group handed over under the agreement that took effect Sunday. Israel will set free around 90 Palestinian prisoners in the first round of exchanges.

Israel has not toppled Hamas’s rule over Gaza – at least not yet – but for Hamas to portray this as a victory is an act of staggering self-deception. The same in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s leadership has been decapitated,