The militant group Hamas on Friday released about two dozen hostages it had been holding for more than six weeks, though Americans were not included in the first round.
A fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas seemed to be holding Friday morning as the initial group of hostages was set free, with no reports of rocket fire from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and a break in Israel’s relentless military campaign against the Palestinian group.
The first batch of freed hostages included 13 Israelis who had been held in Gaza since Hamas’ terrorist assault on Israel on Oct. 7. Twelve Thais also were freed, according to their prime minister, Stettha Thavisin, though other reports stated that 10 Thais and one Filipino were among the first round of releases.
Hundreds of Palestinians are scheduled to be let go by Israel as part of the agreement, which was finalized this week after intense negotiations mediated by Qatar and other influential players in the region. The U.S. also played a role in the negotiations.
At least 39 Palestinian prisoners were reportedly set free Friday morning, including some who were reportedly jailed for the attempted murder of Israeli soldiers.
The hostages released by Hamas Friday crossed from Gaza into Egypt, and then were expected to be taken to Israeli hospitals to address possible injuries. In a social media post Friday morning, the Israeli Defense Forces showed video clips of soldiers preparing medical treatment, food and other basic goods to give to the hostages when they arrive.
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“In coordination with government ministries and security authorities, we have prepared to quickly receive the released hostages and give them all the necessary support,” the IDF said. “We have readied several locations dedicated to their initial reception, which include the necessary medical provisions. After the initial reception and medical treatment, they will continue to hospitals where they’ll be reunited with their families.”
The four-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas began Friday, a day later than initially expected. It paved the way for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, which has been devastated by Israel’s military campaign in the weeks since the Oct. 7 attack. Israel has said its goal is to destroy Hamas, which has ruled the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, home to more than 2 million people, since 2006.
International organizations, which have decried the level of violence and suffering in Gaza, said the temporary cease-fire should be extended.
“We hope the agreement … will bring respite to the people of Gaza and Israel and some relief to the hostages and detainees who will be released, and to their families,” said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office.
But the IDF signaled Friday that its campaign will soon resume.
“The war is not over yet. The suspension of fires for humanitarian purposes is temporary,” IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a social media post.
The Biden administration said it didn’t expect Americans to be among the first group released, a White House official told The Wall Street Journal. But the White House expects that at least three Americans will be among the 50 who Hamas agreed to release.
The two-phase deal, announced Wednesday, was that Hamas would release 50 hostages and Israel would free 150 Palestinian prisoners over the four days. The exact numbers seem to be in flux, and there were some conflicting media accounts Friday about exactly how many were being released from either side.
During the first part, Israel will allow roughly 300 aid trucks per day to enter Gaza from Egypt. Fuel will also be brought in. In the second part, Hamas could release more women, children and elderly.
Israeli officials said they would extend the pause for every additional 10 hostages released.
Israel and Hamas are expected to resume fighting once the truce is over. Even during the truce in Gaza, Israel is still clashing regularly with the militant group Hezbollah, based in Lebanon across Israel’s northern border.
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are supported by Iran.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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