Israel-Hamas conflict: Hamas releases 25 hostages including 13 Israelis amid ceasefire

Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, 25 hostages including 12 Thai citizens were released from Gaza on Friday. According to the reports from Israeli media, the first batch of hostages set free by Hamas is currently in the custody of International Commitee of Red Cross. They are on the way from southern Gaza to the Rafah crossing into Israel, where they will reunite with their family.  

#BREAKING: First visuals of vehicles carrying hostages handed over by Hamas terror group to the Red Cross.
Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, 13 Israelis, 10 Thai and one Filipino were released. A total of 24 hostages released on first day of ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/6FqGYNOWNk

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 24, 2023

While, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the release of twelve Thai hostages, who were kidnapped by Palestinian militants during Hamas' terror attack on October 7.

ได้รับการยืนยันจากฝ่ายความมั่นคงและกระทรวงต่างประเทศว่า มีตัวประกันชาวไทย 12 คนได้ถูกปล่อยตัวออกมาแล้วขณะนี้เจ้าหน้าที่สถานทูตกำลังไปรับตัวอีก 1 ชั่วโมงน่าจะทราบชื่อและรายละเอียดต่างๆครับกรุณาคอยติดตาม

— Srettha Thavisin (@Thavisin) November 24, 2023

Reacting to the release of his nationals, Thailand's Prime Minister posted on platform X(formerly Twitter), "It has been confirmed by the security side and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 12 Thai hostages are already released."

In between the four-day cease-fire deal, thirty-nine Palestinian prisoners are also to be released by Israel. The cease-fire was instated on Friday.

Israel to release 150 Palestinian 

Earlier in the cease-fire deal, Hamas agreed to release 50 hostages, over the course of four days of the truce with Israel. 

Both sides also agreed that Hamas would eventually release more hostages, in return for an extension of the ceasefire, which will be negotiated for 10 Israeli hostages for each day, The Times of Israel reported.

The report also claimed that Israel will release 150 captive Palestinian prisoners, who were held for terror offenses.  Netanyahu-government is set to release women and minors after Hamas released 50 prisoners. Israel will release 39 prisoners in exchange for the first 13 Israelis to return.