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Israel-Hamas War Highlights: Hamas releases 13 Israelis, 4 foreigners after hours-long snag
Israel-Hamas war Highlights: A 96-hour ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, began at 7am local time on Friday, and marks the first break in the hostilities.
Israel-Hamas war Highlights: Saturday is the second day of a 96-hour ceasefire that marks the first pause in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Notably, the two sides have been warring since October 7, when Hamas carried out a series of attacks in Israeli territory, and abducted more than 200 Israeli citizens and foreigners....Read More
On the first day of the truce, Hamas freed 24 hostages (13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and a Filipino), while Israel, in return, released 39 Palestinian prisoners. Both sides are expected to release more people in the coming days.
The peace agreement was brokered by Qatar.
More than 1300 Israelis have lost their lives as a result of the conflict, while the toll on the Palestinian side is higher, with nearly 15,000 fatalities. In response to the Hamas attacks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been targeting the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people, and is governed by the terrorist group.
Here's why this Israeli citizen won't celebrate his family's return
Yoni Ashner, whose wife and two daughters returned to him after being held hostage by Hamas for 49 days, says he will not celebrate their return until all hostages have been released.
"I am happy that I got my family back, but I won't celebrate until the last of the hostages returns. Our children, our fathers, our mothers, our sisters, are at this time in captivity…there are people whose hearts are broken at this time, and I want to make sure that every last hostage person will return home," he says.
WHO ‘concerned’ about head of Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital
Three medical personnel from the Palestine Red Crescent Society and three from the Ministry of Health were detained (by Israel). Since then two of the six have reportedly been released, but we do not have information about the well-being of the four remaining health staff, including the director of Al-Shifa hospital: WHO statement
On Wednesday, Israeli forces had detained Mohammad Abu Salmiya, and others, over Hamas's alleged use of Al-Shifa, the largest medical facility in Gaza.
Thailand hopes for release of its 20 other citizens
While 10 Thai citizens were in the first batch of 24 hostages freed by Hamas, Thailand's foreign ministry has said 20 more Thai nationals continue to be in the group's captivity.
We thank the governments of Qatar, Israel, Egypt, Iran and Malaysia, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as others involved in the immense efforts that led to this recent release: Thai foreign affairs ministry statement
IDF says it plans to resume ‘active’ fighting after Hamas ceasefire ends
An Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson has said that the military plans to resume ‘active fighting’ once the 96-hour truce with Hamas ends.
“There are still many goals and many tunnels to demolish, including some we have destroyed even this morning right before the ceasefire began”: Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesperson
