Hostages released by Hamas have returned to Israel, Israeli military says

The Israeli military has confirmed that Hamas released 13 Israelis and four foreign nationals on Saturday night, as part of the second round of exchanges in a current cease-fire arrangement. The swap was briefly delayed due to Hamas’s claims that Israel had not fully adhered to the truce’s terms.

After midnight, the Israeli military reported that the freed hostages, including four Thai citizens, were safely transferred to Israel and were being sent to hospitals for check-ups and to reunite with their families. Later that day, Israel was set to release 39 Palestinians as part of the ongoing agreement, which was secured through international intervention.

In this exchange, seven children and six women were among the Israeli hostages freed by Hamas. Most were from Kibbutz Be’eri, which had suffered significant damage in an attack by Hamas militants on October 7. The children’s ages ranged from 3 to 16, and the women were between 18 and 67 years old. The release brought mixed feelings in Be’eri, as many of the returning hostages had either lost family members in the attack or had relatives still held captive in Gaza. Among them was Hila Rotem, a 12-year-old whose mother remained in captivity, and Emily Hand, a girl previously believed dead by her father.

Hamas’s delay in the exchange heightened tensions on the second day of the four-day cease-fire. As evening approached with no sign of the hostages, Hamas criticized Israel for not delivering enough aid to northern Gaza and for the limited number of veteran prisoners released on Friday. However, international mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, resolved the issues, and Hamas listed six women and 33 teenage boys for imminent release by Israel. Two of the women, Maysoun Jabali and Israa Jaabis, had been imprisoned since 2015 for attacking Israelis.

Despite some ongoing uncertainties, there was a sense of cautious optimism, mirrored by scenes of joyful family reunions. On the cease-fire’s first day, Hamas had released 24 hostages, and Israel had freed 39 Palestinians. The total agreement stipulated the release of at least 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners, all women and minors, over the four-day truce.

In Tel Aviv, a large crowd gathered in a central square, renamed “the square of the hostages,” eagerly awaiting news of the release. There, Neri Gershon, a local resident, expressed the mixed emotions of many, urging people not to forget those still in captivity. Similarly, in the Balata refugee camp, the family of 16-year-old Wael Mesheh prepared for his return, expressing a mixture of relief and anticipation.

The first group of Israelis freed included nine women and four young children, all in good condition. On the Palestinian side, 24 women and 15 teenage boys, primarily imprisoned for minor offenses, were released. Aseel Munir al-Titi, one of the released prisoners, described the joy of freedom as being tinged with sorrow.

As per the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, around 7,200 Palestinians, including about 2,000 detained since the war’s onset, remain in Israeli custody.

Tensions remained high in the West Bank, with at least two Palestinians injured at a checkpoint where Israel was releasing prisoners. Israeli forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse Palestinians gathered at the Beitunia checkpoint.

The recent conflict, which began with a large-scale attack by Hamas militants into southern Israel, has led to significant casualties and devastation. Over 13,300 Palestinians have been killed, with women and minors constituting a significant portion of the casualties. Israeli officials have stated their intent to continue military operations in Gaza until Hamas’s capabilities are significantly diminished.

The truce has brought temporary relief to the region, allowing for the increased delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of patients and family members from a hospital in Gaza City. However, the future remains uncertain as both sides continue to navigate the complex dynamics of this long-standing conflict.

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