Hostages freed by Hamas in ‘good condition’ – Israeli doctors — RT World News
The movement released 24 people, Israelis and foreigners, in exchange for the release of 39 Palestinian prisoners.
Local medics reported that the Israeli citizens handed over by Hamas on Friday were in good health. The Palestinian armed group also released ten Thai nationals and one Filipino, while Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.
The exchange was part of an agreement reached earlier this week, under which 50 Israeli women and children were to be exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli army also temporarily suspended its operation against militants in Gaza, and the truce is expected to last four days.
Speaking at a press conference late Friday, Schneider Children’s Medical Center CEO Efrat Bron-Harlev said the four children and four women received by the facility were in good physical condition.
“They are currently undergoing medical and emotional evaluation,She added, calling on the press to respect the privacy of the released hostages.
The other five released Israelis, who are under observation at Wolfson Medical Center, are also said to be in good condition.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ten released Thai prisoners, most of whom are farm workers, will return to their homeland after spending 48 hours under medical supervision. Bangkok revealed that 20 other of its citizens are still being held by Hamas.
In response to the release of the first hostages in A mail On X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, US President Joe Biden reiterated Washington’s commitment to ensuring the release of all other prisoners as well.
“We won’t stop until they get home – I have no higher priority,” he added.
During its incursion on October 7, Hamas kidnapped more than 200 people, many of whom either held dual citizenship or were foreign nationals, including Americans.
The release of 24 hostages on Friday was reportedly carried out under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross, whose ambulances are said to have transported the group from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza to the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border.
The Israeli Cabinet approved the hostage exchange late Tuesday night, with Qatar, Egypt and the United States playing the role of mediators.
This arrangement was scheduled to begin on Thursday, but was postponed by Israel.
The deal gave Gaza residents a brief respite after weeks of heavy Israeli bombing, which killed nearly 15,000 people, according to Palestinian authorities.
