39 Palestinians, 13 Israelis and four Thais freed in second phase of hostage deal
Despite an hours-long unexpected delay, the Qatar-mediated ‘humanitarian pause’ in Gaza held strong after Hamas released another group of Israeli and foreign nationals on Saturday.
Nerves were on edge as Hamas delayed the release of 13 Israeli and four Thai hostages, but it later went through. In return, prison authorities in Israel released 39 Palestinian detainees, who were welcomed home in annexed east Jerusalem with great joy.
A joint statement by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security service came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the government ‘embraces the 17 hostages that are returning home, 13 of our citizens and 4 Thai citizens.’
The handover came hours later than expected after Hamas accused Israel of violating the exchange agreement, claims that were roundly denied by Israeli officials.
The unexpected delay caused heartache for relatives as Qatari and Egyptian mediators scrambled to address Hamas’ concerns that Israel was interfering in the selection of prisoners for release and was not allowing aid to reach civilians in northern Gaza during the four-day truce.
Hamas said it had ‘responded positively’ to Egyptian and Qatari mediators after they relayed a promise by Israel to ‘uphold all the conditions of the accord.’
Qatar had said that in the second exchange of the truce, 13 Israeli hostages — eight children and five women — would be released in return for 39 Palestinian prisoners — 33 children and six women.
Seven foreigners held in Gaza would also be released, Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Dr Majed Al Ansari wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
On the first day of the truce, 39 Palestinian prisoners had been freed by Israel in exchange for 13 Israelis, 10 Thai and a Filipino national.
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