Twenty-four hostages are among the first group released by Hamas Friday, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They were transferred to the Red Cross amid a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, multiple sources confirmed.
In all, 50 captives are set to be freed during a four-day truce. Thirty-nine Palestinian prisoners have also been released in the swap, according to officials.
President Biden delivered remarks Friday following the release of hostages from Gaza.
When fighting continues, Biden said he has “encouraged” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu “to focus on trying to reduce” the number of civilian casualties, while trying to “eliminate Hamas,” calling that a “legitimate objective.”
Asked if he trusted Hamas after this hostage negotiation, he said “I don’t trust Hamas to do anything right. I only trust Hamas to respond to pressure.”
As he focuses on securing the release of hostages, Biden also highlighted efforts to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza to help Palestinians “who are suffering greatly because of this war that Hamas has unleashed.”
“Hamas doesn’t give a damn about them,” he said.
The Israeli government released the names of the Israeli hostages released on Friday by Hamas.
All of the hostages released Friday were abducted from the Nir Oz kibbutz, according to a spokesperson.
The freed hostages, according to the Israeli Office of the Prime Minister, are:
- Doron Katz-Asher, 34, and her children, Raz Asher, 4, and Aviv Asher, 2;
- Daniel Aloni, 45, and her 5-year-old daughter, Amelia;
- Ruth Munder, 78, and her 54-year-old daughter, Keren Monder, and Karen’s 9-year-old son, Ohad Monder;
- Adina Moshe, 72
- Hana Katzir, 76
- Hanna Perri, 79
- Yaffe Adar, 85
- Margalit Mozes, 77
The government together with all the security forces will accompany them and their families.
Three Americans are said to be on the list of potential hostages to be released, however, there has been no word on if they are among the initial group.
Twelve Thai nationals were also released, according to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Israel is set to free 150 Palestinians over the next four days, as part of the deal.
Israeli officials say they may consider extending the ceasefire as more hostages are released, ABC News reported.
Several Americans are still unaccounted for.
A four-day ceasefire is in effect in the Middle East after a deal was reached between Israel and Hamas in an effort to release Israeli hostages and bring aid to Gaza.
Israeli officials confirm that a preliminary list of names of the hostages has been received and that they are in touch with families.
The ceasefire has been an international effort, brokered by the Qataris, Egyptians, and Americans. A senior U.S. official told reporters that President Biden has been very hands-on in the hostage negotiations.
Now, there is a lot of anticipation for the first release of hostages, who are set to be freed in mere hours.
Israeli officials announced that a ceasefire began early at midnight Eastern Time on Friday. Qatari officials expect the first hostages in the initial group released by Hamas to be 13 women and children in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The deal will last four days.
The families of hostages remain hopeful despite delays.
“I still fear for his life and we know nothing about him, about his medical situation and so on. It’s a nightmare to wait,” said Ilay David.
Once the hostages have been freed, the Red Cross will take them one by one across an undisclosed area of the border before handing them over to IDF. From there, the hostages will undergo a medical exam and then be allowed to speak to their families over the phone.
Based on their medical needs, officials say hostages will go to one of five designated hospitals.
There, everyone will be debriefed — except for the children — before being reunited with their families.
When asked if he expects the youngest known American hostage Abigail Adan to be released, President Biden said, “fingers crossed.”
Hamas says that during the ceasefire, Israeli planes will also stop flying over the Northern Gaza Strip for six hours a day.