Hamas freed 17 hostages after prolonged captivity, handed over to Egypt 

Seventeen hostages, including 13 Israelis and 4 Thai nationals, have been released by Palestinian militant group Hamas after prolonged captivity in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Sunday.

Hamas freed 17 hostages: IDF

According to the IDF, the hostages were transported via a Red Cross convoy to Egypt, from where they will be repatriated after Israeli authorities verify their identities at the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

Hamas armed wing says it hands 13 Israeli hostages, 7 foreign nationals to International Red Cross, reports Reuters

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023

IDF officials said they have regularly updated families of the abducted hostages regarding developments. Relatives have begun confirming the identities of freed individuals they anxiously awaited news on for months.

Details of hostages

Those liberated include 12-year-old Hila Rotem, kidnapped alongside her mother during an October 7 attack on Kibbutz Be'eri. While Hila was freed, 54-year-old Raya Rotem remains hostage in Gaza according to Israeli media reports.

9-year old Emily Hand was also taken captive from Be'eri that dreadful night while sleeping over at a friend's home. She was previously presumed dead in the assault that killed her friend's mother Yonat Or.

BREAKING: HAMAS RELEASE VIDEO OF RELEASE OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES

The prisoners seem healthy and are waving to Hamas fighters. pic.twitter.com/qyACwXPfJ3

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) November 25, 2023

Yonat's children Noam (17), Alma (13) and husband Dror Or (48) were all abducted too then. While Noam and Alma now stand released, Dror and his 18-year-old nephew Liam are understood to still be detained in Gaza.

Most hostages were residents of Be'eri overpowered when Hamas militants infiltrated homes in the communal village. At least two more Israelis and the 4 Thais are also thought to have spent over a month unlawfully imprisoned.

Hamas to free more hostages later

Earlier, Hamas informed it was handing over 20 hostages including foreign nationals to the Red Cross. But the number transferred first seems lower, with more possibly following later.

Families continue holding vigils seeking the safe return of remaining captives as Egypt mediates between the sides. But securing detainee exchanges with Gaza's de facto rulers has always proved challenging for Israel historically.