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Hamas released 24 hostages held in the Gaza Strip after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Palestinian militants and Israel.
The group included 13 Israeli civilians, and the country’s military said on Friday that they had crossed from Gaza to Egypt and arrived in Israel, where they would be taken to a hospital. According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, those released included 10 Thais and one Filipino.
Qatar, which brokered the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, added that 39 Palestinian prisoners were released as part of the hostage exchange included in the deal, which took effect on Friday.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, where the Gaza hostages were first transferred, said it was “relieved to confirm the safe release of the 24 hostages.”
“After enduring weeks of pain, it is a huge relief to finally be reunited with my family.”
The Israeli Defense Forces said the former Israeli hostages were among military and intelligence personnel. They “underwent an initial medical evaluation within Israeli territory and will continue to be accompanied by… The soldiers will proceed to an Israeli hospital where they will be reunited with their families,” the IDF said.
News of the release came as fighting between Israel and Hamas began a four-day halt on Friday morning, but the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip launched a devastating attack on Israel on October 7. This is the first time since the war was started.
A suspension of fighting brokered by Qatar sets the stage for the gradual release of 50 women and children held by Hamas and 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Dozens of Thai workers, along with Israelis and dual nationals, were captured by militants on October 7, bringing the total to about 240 prisoners, Israeli officials said. The Thai’s release had not previously been announced.
Four tankers carrying fuel and cooking gas entered besieged Gaza early Friday under the terms of a cease-fire.
The deal is structured so that both sides must adhere to a series of events in which Israel allows aid to be delivered, Hamas releases hostages and Israel releases prisoners, according to people familiar with the matter. It is said that This process must be repeated daily to maintain a ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday night that Israel would continue the war after the moratorium ends.
According to Israeli officials, the October 7 Hamas attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel. Since then, Israeli shelling and ground incursions into Gaza have killed about 13,300 people and displaced 1.7 million, according to officials in Hamas-controlled areas.