In Gaza on Friday, Hamas releases 24 hostages , marking a day of heightened tension and profound relief. However, concerns about the future lingered amid weeks of relentless violence in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas release of 24 hostages is the part of a deal that temporarily halted hostilities. The released hostages included 13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and a Philippine national. The agreement also involves the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. While there were celebrations in Israel and a relatively calm day in Gaza, where casualties and displacements have been extensive, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to persist in the campaign to dismantle Hamas.
By early evening, the 13 Israelis, who had endured a seven-week ordeal after Hamas attacks, returned to their home country. Friends and neighbors from their kibbutz communities recognized very young children among them.
Israel reciprocated by releasing 39 Palestinian prisoners, including 24 women, some convicted of attempted murder for attacks on Israeli forces, and 15 teenagers imprisoned for offenses like stone-throwing. The four-day ceasefire represents the first break in the seven-week Gaza war, providing some relief for the 2.3 million Palestinians enduring intensive Israeli bombardment and for Israeli families anxious about their loved ones taken captive during the conflict-triggering attack.
Hamas is expected to release a minimum of 50 out of approximately 240 hostages, as outlined in the terms of the agreement, since initiating attacks into southern Israel on October 7. In return, Israel will release at least 150 Palestinian prisoners and permit up to 300 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Netanyahu welcomed the return of the Israeli hostages, emphasizing their significance, including an 85-year-old woman and a two-year-old girl. “Each of them is an entire world.