In a significant development, Hamas released the first group of hostages on Friday, in accordance with the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas. The agreement aims to establish a four-day ceasefire in the conflict-ridden region.
A total of 24 individuals were set free as part of this initial release. Among them were 13 Israeli women and children, as stipulated by the agreement, along with 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino, who were released through parallel negotiations with their respective governments.
In exchange, Israel has implemented a four-day cessation of airstrikes and has released 39 Palestinians who had been detained in the country prior to the outbreak of the conflict.
The International Red Cross organization confirmed the successful rescue of hostages from Gaza earlier in the day. Live images broadcasted moments ago depicted Red Cross vehicles at the Gaza-Egypt border.
According to a spokesperson for the Red Cross, the rescued hostages are being accompanied by eight International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) personnel in a convoy of four vehicles.
Majed Al Ansari, the spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the group of hostages consists of 13 Israeli citizens, some of whom hold dual citizenship, along with 10 Thais and one Filipino.
Hamas Releases First Group of Hostages, Israeli Media Reports
Israeli media outlets have reported that Hamas has released the first batch of hostages on Friday as part of the agreement with Israel in exchange for a four-day ceasefire.
The hostages have already been transferred to representatives of the Red Cross at the Gaza-Egypt border.
Thai Prime Minister Announces Release of 12 Thai Hostages by Hamas
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced at 10:53 AM that 12 Thai hostages have been released by Hamas, and Thai embassy personnel are en route to retrieve them. These Thai hostages were not part of the agreement between Israel and Hamas. It is anticipated that 13 Israeli hostages abducted by the terrorist group will be released later today (24th).
Countdown for the Release of Israeli Hostages Commences
The scheduled time for the release of Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas has just begun, at 11:00 AM Brasília time (4:00 PM local time). The ceasefire, which commenced on this Friday (24th), started nine hours ago.
Hamas Had Previously Released Four Israeli Hostages Before the Agreement; a Recap
Before the agreement calling for the release of 50 Israeli hostages starting this Friday (24th), the Hamas terrorist group had already liberated four hostages.
The first individuals rescued were Judith and Natalia Raanan on October 20th. They are a mother and daughter who, before being kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip, were US citizens living in the Nahal Oz kibbutz in southern Israel.
The second pair consisted of Israeli women Nurit Cooper, aged 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, aged 85. However, according to the Israeli government, the husbands of these two elderly women remained in captivity as hostages.”
