Hamas Frees Hostages in Exchange for Israeli Prisoners as Ceasefire Begins
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Top officials confirmed the release of some Hamas captives on Friday.
Hamas on Friday released the first group of hostages as part of an agreement between the terrorist organization and Israel amid a ceasefire.
In exchange, Israel released the first 39 Palestinians from its jails later in the day.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the Israeli military is currently “with the released hostages,” who underwent “an initial medical assessment inside Israeli territory.”
“They will continue to be accompanied by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families,” the statement declared, adding that the IDF and “entire Israeli security establishment will continue operating until all the hostages are returned home.”
Israel released the names of the 13 Israeli hostages, which included four children accompanied by four family members, and five other elderly women.
“The released hostages underwent an initial medical assessment inside Israeli territory. They will continue to be accompanied by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families,” the military said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message: “We have just completed the return of the first batch of our hostages. Children, their mothers and other women. Each and every one of them is a world in itself. But I stress to you, the families, and to you, citizens of Israel: We are committed to returning all our hostages.”
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Thai officials confirmed that 12 captured nationals were among those who were released by Hamas.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said in a social media post that the 12 Thais had been released from captivity in Gaza.
The Red Cross announced that 24 hostages were released in all, including Israeli women and children as well as Thai farm workers.
“The deep pain that family members separated from their loved ones feel is indescribable. We are relieved that some will be reunited after long agony,” said Fabrizio Carboni, the International Committee of the Red Cross’s (ICRC) regional director for the Near and Middle East.
Qatar, which acted as mediator for the truce deal, said 13 Israelis had been released, some with dual nationalities, plus 10 Thais and a Filipino. Thirty-nine Palestinian women and children were released from Israeli jails in return for the 13 Israelis, Qatar said.
A total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed over the four-day truce.
Released hostages disembark from an ambulance, as a convoy of vehicles carrying hostages abducted by Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel arrives through the border crossing with Gaza, amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Egypt, on Nov. 24, 2023. (Al Qahera News/Reuters TV via Reuters)
Hamas is believed to have taken more than 200 captives since it launched a terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
The Palestinian embassy in Cairo announced Thursday that Palestinians who were stuck in the Sinai Peninsula were allowed to cross into Gaza. The embassy said that Palestinians in Egypt could cross into the region on Saturday if they wish.
