Hamas frees 24 hostages, 39 Palestinians released from Israeli jails
The first group of hostages walked free from Gaza on Friday on a day of high tension. There was relief but also deep concern for the future after weeks of relentless violence in the war between Israel and Hamas, The Guardian reports.
Twenty-four hostages were released by Hamas – 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and a Philippine national – as part of a deal that has brought about a temporary pause in hostilities and includes the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
There was celebration in Israel and a day of relative calm in Gaza, where thousands have been killed. But though the deal has raised hopes of a more durable ceasefire, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed he would not end Israel’s campaign to destroy Hamas.
The 13 Israelis had reached their home country by early evening, according to Israeli officials and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Several were recognised by friends and neighbours from their kibbutz communities. They included very young children whose seven-week ordeal in captivity is finally over after they were abducted during bloody attacks launched by Hamas last month.
A total of 39 Palestinian prisoners – 24 women, including some convicted of attempted murder for attacks on Israeli forces, and 15 teenagers jailed for offences such as throwing stones – were also released by Israel on Friday evening. Some had not seen their families for many years.
The four-day ceasefire marks the first break in seven weeks of war in Gaza and offers some relief for the 2.3 million Palestinians who have endured intensive Israeli bombardment, as well as for families in Israel fearful for the fate of their loved ones taken captive during the attack that triggered the conflict.
