An initial set of hostages abducted from Israel on Oct. 7 has been set free, just as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Friday, according to media reports and various officials. Thirteen Israelis are said to be in that newly released group, while Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin says that 12 Thai nationals have also been liberated, reports the AP. An Israeli official says that, in exchange, 39 Palestinian prisoners will be released on Friday, per CNN.
The arrangement struck alongside the temporary truce—Israel has said it intends to resume its offensive in Gaza once the four-day ceasefire ends—calls for Hamas to release at least 50 of the 240 or so hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attack in Israel that killed 1,200, as well as for Israel to release 150 Palestinian prisoners, with women and children set to be released first, and in stages. Israel has said that for every additional 10 hostages released, the ceasefire will be extended by one day.
The New York Times reports that the freed hostages were transported to Egypt, though it's expected they'll soon be sent to Israel to receive medical care if needed. The paper notes that, thanks to the ceasefire now in place, dozens of humanitarian aid trucks have been able to make their way into Gaza, including vehicles with much-needed fuel and cooking gas. In the seven weeks since the Oct. 7 attack, Israel has only permitted small amounts of fuel to enter Gaza, claiming Hamas would use it for military purposes. (More Israel-Hamas war stories.)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
