In a pivotal moment amid ongoing regional tensions, a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas has enabled the release of 24 hostages from the Gaza Strip, officials confirmed at the time of this report's publication. The group included 13 Israelis, with additional hostages from Thailand being released separately by Hamas. This development is part of a ceasefire agreement that also secured the freedom of 39 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
"Today's ceasefire is a critical step towards a more sustainable peace," stated a U.S. diplomat involved in the negotiations. The ceasefire, holding steady as of Friday, followed intense discussions led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, aiming for a four-day halt in hostilities. Despite the calm, Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza just yesterday, a stark reminder of the region's volatility.
The Israeli military has advised displaced civilians to refrain from returning to southern Gaza, with leaflets warning, "The war is not over yet." Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant provided a somber outlook: "We must continue to stand firm. The battles will continue forcefully after the truce, and we are prepared for at least two more months of fighting."
The ceasefire has allowed humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, with fuel trucks and aid convoys arriving Thursday morning. "These supplies are the lifeline for our people," a Gaza health official reported, as over 1.7 million have been displaced, and the death toll has climbed to 14,500 due to weeks of intense conflict. The Israel Defense Forces have reported a separate toll, with 1,200 fatalities from the Hamas attack on October 7 and over 200 individuals taken hostage in Gaza.
 |
| File Photo |
The Israeli government disclosed the names of the released Israeli hostages, including Doron Katz-Asher, 34; his young children Raz, 4, and Aviv, 2; Danielle Aloni, 45, and her daughter Amelia, 5. The group spans generations, with individuals such as Ruth Munder, 78, and Yaffe Adar, 85, among the freed.
A senior official from Qatar stated, "The release of the 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino by Hamas is a testament to the effectiveness of the ongoing diplomatic efforts." Meanwhile, the 39 Palestinian women and children's release from Israeli prisons has been confirmed by Dr. Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry, who mentioned that it was part of "the implementation of the first day's commitments of the agreement."
The International Committee of the Red Cross supervises the transfer of individuals involved in the exchange. "Our teams are working tirelessly to facilitate the release and ensure safe passage for those involved," an ICRC spokesperson announced.
Israeli soldiers, in a move to comfort the young hostages, "were told to smile and make the children feel safe," according to an IDF statement. Additionally, the IDF provided noise-canceling headphones to the hostages, who are now being cared for at Hatzerim Airbase, where they will receive medical attention and psychological support. On Sunday, Israel received a list from Hamas detailing the hostages due to be released, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Concurrently, as part of the ongoing hostage-prisoner exchange, 39 Palestinian prisoners were released from three different Israeli prisons. This exchange is part of a broader deal expected to result in the release of 150 prisoners by the end of a four-day ceasefire.