After Gaza War cease fire stalls, Hamas releases 20 hostages

In Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Hamas released 13 Israelis and four foreigners in the second swapping under a ceasefire deal. After a delay, the Israeli military stated that the hostages, including four Thais, were transferred to Israel before being observed and reunited with their families. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that seven children and six women were included in the release by Hamas on Saturday. Most of them were from Kibbutz Be’eri, which was damaged during a cross-border attack launched by Hamas on October 7. The release was a bittersweet moment for the people of Be’eri since some of the released hostages had lost family members or have loved ones still in captivity. The last-minute delay caused a tense standoff on the second day of the four-day ceasefire. International mediation eventually helped overcome the obstacles. The four-day truce comprises Hamas releasing at least 50 Israeli hostages and Israel freeing 150 Palestinian prisoners, all women and minors. On the first day of the ceasefire, 24 hostages were released by Hamas, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians. The war-weary Palestinians in Gaza started to receive aid after the ceasefire was implemented. The Palestinian Red Crescent was able to evacuate patients and family members from a hospital in Gaza to one in Khan Younis. In Tel Aviv, many people gathered in a central square named “the square of the hostages,” awaiting news of the second release. Families have accused the government of not doing enough to bring hostages home. The war has killed over 13,300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, but the number may be higher given the breakdown in communications.