Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal: 13 Israelis, 12 Thai Nationals Among First Hostages Released By Hamas

Twelve Thai nationals along with 13 Israeli captives were released from Gaza on Friday, as part of the four-day ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, according to Israeli media.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 24 November 2023 3:55 pm

People react as they hear the news of the release of 13 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza

Twelve Thai nationals along with 13 Israeli captives were released from Gaza on Friday, as part of the four-day ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, according to Israeli media. The hostages passed through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

Thirty-nine Palestinian prisoners are also to be released by Israel. The truce that started on Friday allowed desperately needed aid to start flowing into Gaza, even as fears of the war erupting again after four days remained. Israel has agreed to allow the delivery of 130,000 litres of fuel a day into besieged Gaza for humanitarian needs for the duration of the truce.

Israeli officials said that after arriving at the air base escorted by Israeli soldiers, the released hostages will be flown or driven to five different hospitals across the country for medical treatment, as needed. Just before that exchange was set to happen, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin later said in a tweet that 12 Thai nationals were also released. An Israeli official confirmed that the Thai captives left Gaza and were en route to a hospital in Israel.

In turn, Israel is to free three Palestinian prisoners for each released hostage. The releases are to take place in stages over the next four days.

While the temporary truce brought some relief to Gazans, many of them also feared that the “nightmare” would return soon as Israel said it is determined to resume its massive offensive once the cease-fire ends. Qatar, which served as a mediator for the deal along with the United States and Egypt hoped that the “momentum” from the deal will lead to an “end to this violence”, said Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar.

But hours before the deal came into effect, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was quoted telling troops that their respite would be short and that the war would resume with intensity for at least two more months, according to AP.

The Israeli attacks has killed more than 13,300 Palestinians and more than 6,000 are believed to be missing, buried under the rubble. The ongoing conflict has also killed 1,200 Israelis, mainly during the October 7 attack.