Israel: The first group of hostages has been released by Israel and Hamas, following the approval of the four-day ceasefire between the two parties.
The Palestinian armed group Hamas released 24 hostages held captive in Gaza and Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.
Mr. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry in Qatar, stated that the released hostages include 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals, and one Filipino citizen.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Israel and the occupied territories remarked that it transported the group of captives from Gaza to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
“We are relieved to confirm the safe release of 24 hostages,” the ICRC posted on X. According to the deal mediated by Qatar, Hamas is required to release 50 hostages, and Israel should free 150 Palestinian prisoners over four days. Women and children were the first to be started on both sides.
Qatar noted that 39 Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli jails were released as part of the deal.
Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, pointed out that, “Each of them is an entire world. But I emphasise we are committed to returning all the hostages. This is one of the aims of the war and we are committed to achieving all the aims of the war.”
The captives taken by Hamas on October 7 include Israeli soldiers and civilians, as well as people from numerous other nations. Thailand’s Prime Minister, Mr. Srettha Thavisin, said that 12 Thai nationals helped in Gaza had been released.
“It has been confirmed by the security side and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 12 Thai hostages are already released,” Mr. Thavisin wrote on X.
MOST READ | Turkey to evacuate more patients from Gaza
