INTERNATIONAL

24 hostages held captive by Hamas released from Gaza

• 25 Nov 2023

On the first day of Israel-Hamas truce, a total of 24 hostages held captive by Hamas were released from Gaza on Friday. The first batch of hostages freed by the militant group included 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals, and one Filipino. Yesterday, the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said 12 Thai hostages kidnapped by Palestinian militants during Hamas's 7th October raids into Israel were released on Friday but today the Thailand Foreign Ministry confirmed that there were only 10 Thai nationals, including Nine men and One woman.

 Thailand's Foreign Ministry said that figure came from the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv. However, it revised the number downward after the spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Majed al-Ansari, posted on X that the number was 10.  The hostages have been transferred by Hamas to the International Red Cross. On the other side, 39 Palestinian women and minors detained on various charges were also freed under the accord brokered by Qatar. More than 100 Palestinian prisoners are due to be released over the coming days. 

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it had received a new list of hostages to be released by Hamas today. The cease-fire could be extended if more hostages are released, they added. Under the deal, Hamas is to release at least 50 hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners over the four days. Both sides were starting with women and children.