The world in brief

After Hamas released four more Israeli hostages, all of them female soldiers, held in Gaza since October 2023, Israel freed 200 Palestinian prisoners. Most of the latter were sent to the West Bank, but others will be deported. Israel said it would not allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza until a female civilian, also due to be released today, had been freed. The exchange forms part of a six-week ceasefire between Israel and the militant group, which began on January 19th.

America’s Senate confirmed Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota, as homeland-security secretary—overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, among other agencies. Meanwhile Donald Trump reportedly dismissed more than a dozen inspectors-general of federal agencies as the president seeks to reshape America’s civil service. Inspectors-generals monitor agencies’ efficiency, as well as investigating instances of fraud; Congress is supposed to receive notice of 30 days before any are sacked.