Topline
Thirteen Israeli hostages, at least 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino were released by Hamas Friday as part of a temporary ceasefire after seven weeks of devastating fighting.
Key Facts
Twenty-four hostages have been released—13 Israelis, some of whom have dual-citizenship, 10 Thai nationals and a Filipino—Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, which helped broker the ceasefire, said Friday.
Thailand’s prime minister initially said 12 Thai hostages were freed Friday.
Hamas is freeing the hostages in exchange for 39 Palestinian detainees being released by Israel—24 women and 15 children—as well as a pause in the fighting and Israel allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
The Palestinian detainees are expected to be released from Israel’s Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank soon and allowed to return home, the BBC reported.
Before their release, Israeli ambulances were sent near the border between Israel and Egypt just south of Gaza, and buses arrived at the West Bank Prison to transport released Palestinians, the BBC reported.
Key Background
Some 240 hostages were being held Hamas following its attack on Israel on Oct. 7. More than 1,200 people in Israel were killed in the attack, according to Israeli officials. In the seven weeks since, intense fighting and regular Israeli air strikes have ensued in Gaza, taking the lives of over 14,500 people in the enclave, according to health officials in the enclave. On Wednesday, the Qatari government, acting as an intermediary, announced a deal to free 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian detainees—all women and children—and pause the fighting for four days while humanitarian aid can enter Gaza. Fighting reportedly stopped on Friday morning for the first time since Oct. 7. Dozens of trucks carrying aid entered Gaza Friday, the New York Times reported.
What To Watch For
Both sides have insisted that, despite this temporary truce, the war is not over. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday he expects the war to continue “at least two more months,” adding: “This will be a brief pause. When it ends, the fighting will continue forcefully, and will create pressure that will allow the return of more hostages,” as quoted by CNN.
Further Reading
What To Know About The Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal
Temporary Ceasefire Takes Effect In Gaza
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/willskipworth/2023/11/24/first-hostages-released-amid-temporary-israel-hamas-ceasefire/