The primary group of hostages have been launched from Gaza after 48 days of captivity as a part of a truce deal between Israel and Hamas that went into impact this morning.
13 Israeli girls and youngsters and 12 Thai hostages, who have been kidnapped and brought into the territory by the fear group in its October 7 assault on Israel, have been lastly freed in the present day after an agonising wait.
Israeli media reported the hostages had been transferred by Hamas to the Crimson Cross, then on to the Egyptians, earlier than crossing into Egypt. They may subsequent be given to the IDF who will switch them by helicopter to a hospital in central Israel.
An Israeli safety supply informed AFP that the 13 Israeli hostages at the moment are in with the nation’s safety providers.
Going the opposite method have been 39 Palestinian prisoners – 24 girls and 15 youngsters – who’re being launched by Israel as a part of the deal that paused the combating within the Gaza Strip for the primary time in seven weeks which was sparked by Hamas’s assault.
The lists of all civilians that will be launched from Gaza has been agreed, however was not launched publicly forward of time. Some 30 kids are at the moment believed to be among the many 240 captives who have been taken into Gaza by Hamas.
Israeli safety forces stand subsequent to buses ready on the helipad of Tel Aviv’s Schneider medical centre on November 24 because it prepares to obtain 13 hostages free of Gaza
Households of the hostages take part in a particular ‘Kabalat Shabbat’ (welcoming the Shabbat) prayer service forward of the discharge of hostages, in Tel Aviv on November 24
They erupted with pleasure upon listening to that the vans had safely made it by way of the Rafah crossing
The settlement entailed a ‘full ceasefire with no assaults from the air or the bottom’
The hostages have been picked up the Worldwide Crimson Cross upon arriving on the Rafah Crossing
Two sources near Hamas confirmed to AFP information company that some hostages had been handed over to the Crimson Cross for return to Israel
Two sources near Hamas confirmed to AFP information company that some hostages had been handed over to the Crimson Cross for return to Israel.
Photos of the primary Crimson Cross carrying hostages seems to point out a number of aged individuals being taken to be handled.
‘Half an hour in the past, the prisoners have been handed to the Crimson Cross who will take them to the Egyptians and the Israelis who’re as a consequence of obtain them,’ one of many sources stated.
The second supply confirmed the handover, AFP reported.
The households of kidnapped hostages have been seen nervously watching information broadcasts of the vans carrying their family members into Egypt.
They erupted with pleasure upon listening to that the vans had safely made it by way of the Rafah crossing.
Thailand’s prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, confirmed in a submit to X that he had acquired affirmation of the Thai residents’ arrival, including that embassy officers have been going to choose them up.’
The 12 Thai hostages, all grownup males, are being taken to Shamir Medical Centre (Assaf Harofeh) south of Tel Aviv in Jerusalem, the place they are going to be saved for no less than 48 hours.
It’s understood that these concerned within the deal are beneath orders to deal with the hostages with the utmost sensitivity. A number of the kids held in Gaza since October 7 misplaced relations within the assault, and their properties in southern Israel destroyed.
It isn’t recognized whether or not they have been informed this whereas in captivity, however social staff are anticipated to interrupt the information to any of the kids who’ve misplaced family members.
The delicate four-day truce started at 7am native time (12am ET and 5am GMT), with weapons as a consequence of be laid down throughout the area for the primary time in virtually seven weeks.
Over the 4 days of the ceasefire, no less than 50 hostages are anticipated to be freed, leaving an estimated 190 within the arms of Palestinian militants.
It’s understood that these concerned within the deal are beneath orders to deal with the hostages with the utmost sensitivity
It isn’t recognized whether or not they have been informed this whereas in captivity, however social staff are anticipated to interrupt the information to any of the kids who’ve misplaced family members
The households of kidnapped hostages have been seen nervously watching information broadcasts of the vans carrying their family members into Egypt
The truce, brokered by Qatar , Egypt and the USA, introduced the primary pause within the conflict because it started
Srettha Thavisin, Thailand’s Prime Minister, says 12 Thai hostages have been launched
In alternate, 150 Palestinians prisoners are anticipated to be launched.
The settlement can also be meant to offer extra support to 2.4 million residents who face shortages of important items after Israel tightened a siege of the territory.
Round 50 vans with meals support, together with three gas vans and 4 with gasoline, entered on Friday morning, stated Wael Abu Omar, director of communications on the Palestinian facet of the Rafah crossing level with Egypt.
The Israel Protection Drive (IDF) stated its army has ‘accomplished its operational preparations in response to the defensive positions of the pause’.
Hamas’ chief overseas, Ismail Haniyeh, stated that the fear group is dedicated to abiding by the peace phrases, so long as Israel does the identical.
Haniyeh stated in a video in the present day: ‘Hamas will pursue its effort to halt the Israeli assault on Gaza, full the prisoner alternate, finish the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip and assault on the Al-Aqsa Mosque along with enabling the Palestinian individuals to grasp their reputable nationwide proper for an unbiased state with Jerusalem as its capital, self-determination and the return [of Palestinian refugees].’
Regardless of the truce this morning, smoke continued to rise throughout Gaza and journalists stated artillery fireplace from contained in the enclave carried on for 18 minutes after the ceasefire begun. Nevertheless, the deal held, and the primary group have been alternate.
There have been no additional stories of combating within the hours after the truce started.
Officers have admitted the alternate was ‘sophisticated’.
The truce, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the USA, introduced the primary pause within the conflict because it started.
The settlement entailed a ‘full ceasefire with no assaults from the air or the bottom’ and the skies away from drones to ‘enable for the hostage launch to occur in a protected setting’, the Qatari overseas ministry stated.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed {that a} truce was underway with Hamas in Gaza, however that it was a ‘quick pause’.
As soon as it ends, Israel will resume the conflict with full army forces, he stated.
‘There might be a brief pause after which we’ll proceed working with full army energy. We won’t cease till we obtain our targets: the destruction of Hamas and bringing dwelling the hostages from Gaza to Israel there are 240 hostages and it’s one thing we can’t settle for and can’t tolerate,’ Gallant stated.
The IDF additionally stated on X that earlier within the day troops had ‘destroyed a route of underground terrorist tunnels’ and ‘tunnel shafts’ across the Al-Shifa hospital.
A spokesman warned in a video that these residing in Gaza ought to know ‘the conflict is just not over but’ – earlier than demanding they continue to be within the south of the strip.
Members of the media and other people collect at Rafah border as Hamas militants are anticipated to launch hostages kidnapped by Hamas throughout the October 7 assault on Israel as a part of a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, November 24
Palestinians, together with poeple injured throughout the bombardment, go an Israeli tank as they flee the north by way of the Salaheddine highway within the Zeitoun district on the southern outskirts of Gaza Metropolis on November 24
An Israeli soldier stands guard throughout preparations to obtain the Israeli hostages held by Hamas after their launch, in Hatzerim, southern Israel, November 24
Israeli border guards take place exterior the Ofer army camp between Ramallah and Baytunia within the West Financial institution metropolis amid preparations for the discharge of Palestinian prisoners in alternate for Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, on November 24
Israeli army armoured vechiles roll in a convoy close to the Salaheddine highway on the southern outskirts of Gaza Metropolis on November 24
Launched hostage kids might be given ear defenders to guard them from the noise of helicopters taking them to hospital it has emerged.
Officers have been apprehensive that the extraordinary shock and expertise of travelling on a helicopter could trigger anxiousness amongst the youngest kids set to be freed.
Some are stated to be solely three or 4 years outdated and medical workers have been discussing journey preparations with Israeli Defence Forces officers.
Preparations for his or her arrival have intensified over the previous few days with hospitals, medical workers and trauma specialists remaining on standby.
They may also be given a hold-all containing garments, blankets meals, wipes, wash luggage and – for the kids – colouring books and pencils.
In an announcement the Israeli Defence Forces stated: ‘Over the previous day, the IDF accomplished preparations for receiving the hostages launched from captivity within the Gaza Strip upon their return to Israel.
‘The IDF, in coordination with authorities ministries and safety authorities, have ready to shortly obtain the launched hostages and provides all of them the required assist.
Stuffed animals and cushions await the arrival of youngsters who’ve been held hostage within the Gaza Strip
Preparations have intensified over the previous few days with hospitals and medical workers on standby together with trauma specialists. Pictured: colouring books and toys awaiting the arrival of the hostages
Ear defenders ready on the helicopter for the hostages. The IDF has stated that after the preliminary reception and medical remedy, the launched hostages will proceed to hospitals, the place they are going to be reunited with their households
Noise cancelling headphones appropriate for kids are ready for the hostages to assist them deal with the extraordinary shock and expertise of travelling on a helicopter
Israeli Yasur army helicopter stands on the tarmac throughout preparations for the arrival of youngsters who’ve been held hostage within the Gaza Strip who’re as a consequence of be launched as a part of a deal between Israel and Hamas
‘As a part of the preparations, the IDF has readied a number of areas devoted to the preliminary reception of the launched hostages, together with with obligatory medical provisions and assist.
‘After the preliminary reception and medical remedy, the launched hostages will proceed to hospitals, the place they are going to be reunited with their households.’
In Gaza practically 15,000 individuals, 6,150 of them kids, have been killed within the conflict, officers within the Hamas-run territory stated.
About 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, have been killed in Israel throughout the October 7 assault and round 240 taken hostage, in response to Israeli officers.