The first 24 hostages returned to Israel. Hamas prepares to release 14 more people

The first group of 24 hostages returned to Israel

Photo: REUTERS

A truce continues in the Gaza Strip amid a hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. The day before, November 24, the first group of hostages, consisting of 24 people, returned to Israel. According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, those released include 13 Israelis, mostly residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz, 10 Thai citizens and one Filipino citizen. They were first handed over to the Red Cross and Egyptian authorities, and then flown to hospitals. Among those who were released is Yafa Adar, 85 years old. According to Israeli authorities, she was the oldest Hamas hostage, CNN writes.

Israeli doctors who examined the 13 returned women and children said they were in good and stable condition.

“Now they, together with their relatives, are accommodated in a specially designated complex, where medical and psychosocial teams are on duty,” said the Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva, where four women and four children were transferred.

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office estimates that there are still about 213 hostages in the Gaza Strip who were taken out of the country on October 7 by Hamas militants. Of them, according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about 20 are Thai. The department also added that of 10 released compatriots, only six knew for certain about the arrest.

Another hostage exchange is expected to take place today. Hamas provided a list of 14 people. The Israel Prison Service announced that it would release 42 Palestinian prisoners in response. This is consistent with the terms of the truce, which require that the release of one Israeli hostage be followed by the release of three Palestinian hostages.