Israel Releases 17 Hostages Held Captive by Hamas Militants in Gaza

The 17 hostages released from Gaza by Hamas militants were greeted by relieved loved ones in southern Israel after being freed in a delayed exchange that also saw the release of 39 Palestinian woman and children jailed in Israel. Thirteen of those kidnapped in the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel were Israelis, along with four Thai nationals, including seven Israeli children ranging in age from 3 to 16, and six Israeli women ranging in age from 18 to 67. Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand was also among those freed. The hostages were initially transferred by the Red Cross across southern Gaza’s Rafah crossing into Egypt, and the 13 Israeli hostages were then flown to Israel early Sunday morning for medical evaluations, before being reunited with family. As part of the cease-fire agreement, another 39 Palestinians — 33 children and six women — were released from Israeli jails and transferred to the occupied West Bank. Palestinian prisoners had previously been freed from three Israeli prisons as part of the deal, and thousands gathered in the occupied West Bank village of Beitunia to greet them. Israeli intelligence has been receiving a list of the names of the hostages who are expected to be released in each group prior to their handover, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. The hostages included some American and Israeli citizens abducted on the fateful day and held as captives by Hamas militants, and among them, the American girl 9-year-old Abigail Mor Edan. The United Nations delivered hundreds of aid trucks carrying humanitarian aid to help alleviate the suffering in Gaza, but Hamas accused Israel of not adhering to the terms of the cease-fire agreement, causing an hours-long delay. Israeli intelligence had indicated there were about 240 hostages still being held by Hamas, with the cease-fire calls for a pause in the fighting and the release of some 50 hostages, all women and children, over the course of four days. The families of those hostages released in each group were given early notification by Israeli authorities. The release of hostages and prisoners is part of a broader effort to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza, which has been devastated by the Israel-Hamas war.