GAZA: A source close to Hamas said that its military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, had handed over Wednesday a group of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Gaza. The release is the sixth under an extended humanitarian ceasefire that has paused war between Hamas and Israel Gaza.
The Israeli army also said that it has received the first two hostages freed as part of tonight’s exchange. According to Arab media, 10 more are likely to be released tonight in exchange for Palestinian detainees on the sixth day of the ceasefire between the two sides in Gaza.
On Tuesday, Israel’s prison authority said that 30 Palestinian detainees had been freed on the fifth day of the ceasefire pausing fighting in Gaza. According to Arab media, 14-year-old Palestinian Ahmed Salayme also arrived home in East Jerusalem following his release from Israeli jail. The development came following ten Israeli captives returned to Israel under the terms of the agreement following their release by Hamas, along with two more Thai captives.
Israeli Captives Handed over to Red Cross
Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara welcomed the release of 2 more Thai captives that had been held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, said “Happy to personally welcome two more Thai captives just released and arrived at the hospital.” He said, “A completely warm feeling to see how the former seventeen were lining up to happily welcome and give moral support and help to the two newcomers,”.
About 19 Thai captives have so far been freed, while the foreign ministry says thirteen more remain in custody. As per media reports, about 39 Thai citizens were killed in the Oct. 7 surprise attack in Israel.
A Thai foreign ministry spokesperson stated that several actors were consulted to free the Tahi nationals. The statement of Thai Foreign Minister comes after ten Israeli captives returned to Israel under the terms of the agreement following their release by Hamas, along with two more Thai captives. The spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that the captives are 10 Israelis as well as 2 Thai nationals.
Earlier on Tuesday, ICRC said it had ‘successfully’ transferred 12 hostages from the Gaza Strip. In a statement via social media, the ICRC stated that they have been able to conduct this operation thanks to their neutral intermediary role.
