Red Cross
The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has announced that 12 Thai nationals, who were among the hostages captured by Hamas in Israel, have been released from captivity in Gaza. This release is part of a separate deal mediated by Qatar and Egypt, distinct from the broader truce agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Simultaneously, Israeli media reported the release of a group of women and children held in the Gaza Strip, who are expected to be handed over to the Red Cross. This marks the first group of hostages set free under the temporary truce.
The truce, spanning four days, involves a reciprocal release of hostages and prisoners. Thirteen women and children, out of approximately 240 hostages captured by Hamas on October 7 in southern Israel, were scheduled to be the initial group freed during the truce. Reports suggest that this group has been handed over to the Red Cross and an Egyptian security team.
In exchange, Israel is slated to release the first 39 Palestinians from its jails, including 24 women and 15 teenagers. The truce outlines the release of a total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners over the four-day period. Notably, Israel has indicated the possibility of extending the ceasefire if Hamas continues to release hostages at a rate of at least 10 per day. Meanwhile, a Palestinian source has suggested that up to 100 hostages could be released during this period.
The developments underscore the complexity of negotiations and humanitarian efforts amidst the ongoing conflict, with international mediators playing a crucial role in facilitating agreements between the involved parties. The situation remains fluid, and continuous monitoring is essential to assess the evolving dynamics of the truce and the release of hostages and prisoners.
