Middle East conflict Hamas frees 17 more hostages – Israel frees 39 Palestinians from custody
People take part in a solidarity rally for hostages kidnapped by the Islamist group Hamas in Tel Aviv.
© Leo Correa/AP / dba
Hamas has released another group of hostages. According to the military, 13 are already in Israel and four are on their way to Egypt. In return, Israel released 39 youths from detention.
A third group of freed Islamist Hamas hostages has left the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli military. Red Cross representatives handed over 12 hostages to security forces at the border fence with Israel, the army announced on Sunday. Another hostage was taken directly to an Israeli hospital by helicopter. According to Israeli television, the Israelis are nine children and four women.
At the same time, three foreigners and an Israeli were initially taken across the border into Egypt and then into Israel. According to media reports, there are three Thai and one Russian-Israeli citizen. They are not part of the agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The Red Cross confirmed the surrender of 17 hostages.
Israeli prison authorities have re-released a group of 39 Palestinians as part of a deal between Israel and Islamist Hamas. Israeli prison officials announced Sunday evening that they had been released from several prisons in the evening. According to Palestinian reports, there were 39 male youths under the age of 19.
Among them was a detainee from the Gaza Strip, according to reports. According to prison officials, he was released at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. The rest of the freedmen were expected in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. A large number of people gathered in Ramallah to welcome him.
Dozens of hostages are still in the hands of Hamas
However, dozens of hostages are still in the hands of Hamas. The current lull in fighting is expected to last until at least Tuesday morning. According to the agreement between Israel and Hamas, a total of 50 Israeli hostages will be released first during this time. Also, 14 Thais and one Filipino national have already been released.
Agreement between Hamas and Israel
Between Fear and Relief: This is how the hostages were received on their return
The Gulf emirate of Qatar, which is mediating the conflict, announced that the ceasefire could be extended by up to ten days and further releases are possible.
The worst massacre in Israel’s history
The latest Gaza war was sparked by the worst massacre in Israel’s history, when terrorists from the Gaza Strip carried out an October 7 near-border attack in Israel. More than 1,200 people were killed. About 240 hostages, including many Germans, were taken to Gaza.
Israel responded with massive airstrikes, a blockade of the Gaza Strip and a ground offensive in late October. According to the Islamist Hamas, nearly 15,000 people were killed. More than 36,000 people were injured. The numbers cannot currently be independently verified.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated several times.
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