The first group of hostages were released after 48 days of captivity under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that came into force this morning.
Thirteen Israeli women and children and 12 Thai hostages who were kidnapped and taken to Gaza by the terror group during its attack on Israel on October 7 were finally released today after an agonizing wait.
Israeli television reported that the hostages had been handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross and were on their way to the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
In the other direction went 39 Palestinian prisoners – 24 women and 15 teenagers – who will be released by Israel under the deal that brought fighting in the Gaza Strip sparked by the Hamas attack to a halt for the first time in seven weeks.
The release will be coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which will initially receive the hostages from Gaza and provide them with medical care.
The lists of all civilians who would be released from Gaza were agreed but not published ahead of time. It is currently estimated that around 30 children are among the 240 prisoners taken to Gaza by Hamas.
The fragile four-day ceasefire began at 7 a.m. local time (12 p.m. ET and 5 a.m. GMT), with weapons set to be laid down across the region for the first time in nearly seven weeks.
Israeli security forces stand next to buses waiting at the heliport of the Schneider Medical Center in Tel Aviv on November 24 as it prepares to receive 13 hostages freed from Gaza
A general photo from November 24, 2023 shows the Israeli military prison of Ofer between Ramallah and Baytunia
Srettha Thavisin, Thailand’s prime minister, said 12 Thai hostages had been released
At least 50 hostages are expected to be released during the four days of the ceasefire, with an estimated 190 remaining in the hands of Palestinian militants.
In return, 150 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released.
The deal is also expected to provide additional aid to 2.4 million residents who are lacking essential goods after Israel tightened its siege on the territory.
About 50 trucks carrying food aid, as well as three tankers and four carrying gasoline, arrived on Friday morning, said Wael Abu Omar, communications director on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its military had “completed its operational preparations in accordance with the pause defense positions.”
Despite this morning’s ceasefire, smoke continued to rise over Gaza and journalists said artillery fire from inside the enclave continued for 18 minutes after the ceasefire began. However, the deal stood and the first group was exchanged.
There were no further reports of fighting in the hours after the ceasefire began.
Officials admitted the exchange was “complicated.”
The ceasefire brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States brought the first lull in the war since it began.
The agreement included a “complete ceasefire with no attacks from the air or ground” and clearing the skies of drones to “enable the release of the hostage in a safe environment,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its military had “completed its operational preparations in accordance with the pause defense positions.”
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that a ceasefire was underway with Hamas in Gaza, but that it was a “short pause.”
Once it ends, Israel will resume the war with all forces, he said.
“There will be a short pause and then we will continue to operate with full military force.” “We will not stop until we achieve our goals: the destruction of Hamas and the return of the hostages from Gaza to Israel. There are 240 hostages and that is something we cannot accept and tolerate,” Gallant said.
The IDF called it quits
A spokesman warned in a video that people living in Gaza should know that “the war is not over yet” before calling for them to remain in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Media members and people gather at the Rafah border as Hamas militants are expected to release hostages held by Hamas during the attack on Israel on October 7 as part of a hostage-prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel on October 24 November were kidnapped
Palestinians, including people injured in the bombing, pass an Israeli tank as they flee north along Salaheddine Street in the Zeitoun district on the southern outskirts of Gaza City on November 24
An Israeli soldier stands guard during preparations to receive Israeli hostages held by Hamas after their release November 24 in Hatzerim, southern Israel
Israeli border guards take position outside the Ofer military camp between Ramallah and Baytunia in the West Bank city as preparations are made for the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, November 24
On November 24, Israeli military armored vehicles roll in a convoy near Salaheddine Street on the southern outskirts of Gaza City
Released hostage children will be given hearing protection to protect them from the noise of helicopters taking them to hospital, it has emerged.
Officials fear the intense shock and experience of traveling by helicopter could cause fear among the youngest children set to be released.
Some are believed to be as young as three or four years old and medical staff have spoken with Israel Defense Forces officials about travel arrangements.
Preparations for their arrival have intensified in recent days as hospitals, medical staff and trauma specialists remained on standby.
You will also receive a travel bag with clothes, blankets, food, cloths, toiletry bags and – for the children – coloring books and pencils.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said: “Last day, the IDF completed preparations to receive the hostages released from captivity in the Gaza Strip upon their return to Israel.”
“The IDF, in coordination with ministries and security agencies, has prepared to quickly receive the released hostages and provide them with the necessary support.”
Cuddly toys and pillows await the arrival of children held hostage in the Gaza Strip
Preparations have intensified in recent days with hospitals and medical staff, including trauma specialists, on standby. Pictured: Coloring books and toys await the hostages’ arrival
Hearing protectors are waiting for the hostages in the helicopter. The IDF has stated that after initial admission and medical treatment, the released hostages will be taken further to hospitals where they will be reunited with their families
Noise-cancelling headphones suitable for children are waiting for the hostages to help them survive the strong shock and experience of a helicopter ride
The Israeli military helicopter Yasur stands on the tarmac during preparations for the arrival of children held hostage in the Gaza Strip to be released under a deal between Israel and Hamas
“As part of the preparations, the IDF has prepared several locations for the initial reception of the released hostages, including with the necessary medical care and support.”
“After initial admission and medical treatment, the released hostages will be taken to hospitals where they will be reunited with their families.”
In Gaza, nearly 15,000 people, including 6,150 children, have been killed in the war, officials in the Hamas-controlled territory said.
According to Israeli officials, about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and about 240 were taken hostage in Israel during the October 7 attack.