People attending a demonstration to show solidarity with Israel and against anti-semitism hold up photographs of hostages taken by Hamas on October 22, 2023
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25 hostages were released to Eygpt, the first release since a 4-day cease-fire was called.
The released hostages include 12 Thai citizens and 13 other women and children.
It’s the longest cease-fire since the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israeli citizens.
Twenty-five hostages were released by Hamas on Friday, the latest sign that the conflict between Israel and the militant group is cooling.
Twelve of the hostages are Thai citizens and 13 are other women and children. The deal for the 12 Thai hostages was brokered by the Egyptian government, the country’s media office said on Friday.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin acknowledged the release of the Thai citizens on X on Friday, saying embassy officials are on their way to pick them up.
According to the Israeli government’s press office, 12 Thai hostages are in Israel now, on their way to Assaf Harofeh hospital.
The other hostages are with Israeli security services and are en route to Israel, according to Israeli security sources.
Those sources said that Adina Moshe, 72, is among the freed hostages. Moshe was pulled through the window of her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, where her husband was killed in front of her, before being taken on a motorcycle to Gaza on October 7, according to The Times of Israel.
(Editor’s note: This story is developing and will be updated throughout the day.)
