Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners in exchange as part of a deal that included a four-day truce in the Gaza Strip.
Hours after a Qatar-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect, the Palestinian militant group Hamas released 24 hostages it had been holding in Gaza for about seven weeks, and Israel also released 39 Palestinian prisoners.
Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari said on Friday that the freed prisoners included 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and one Filipino.
Israel and the ICRC in the occupied territories announced that they had transferred a group of prisoners from Gaza to Rafah, across the border with Egypt.
“We are relieved to confirm the safe release of the 24 hostages,” the ICRC posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The release of 24 of the approximately 240 people taken hostage by Hamas in the October 7 attack on southern Israel followed an agreement between Israel and Hamas that included a four-day cease-fire and an exchange of Palestinian prisoners. I was disappointed. Israeli prisons were enforced.
The military said the Israeli prisoners will be returned to Israeli territory and undergo medical examinations before being reunited with their families.
According to a list issued by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the victims included four children and six elderly women.
“The nationals underwent initial medical examinations and their families were informed of their return by appointed officials,” it said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video recording that the government is committed to the return of all remaining prisoners.
Qatar announced that 39 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons have been released as part of the agreement. Israel confirmed that 39 prisoners were released.
Qadura Fares, head of the NGO Palestine Prisoners of War Club, said 33 prisoners released in the West Bank had been handed over to an ICRC team. He said the remaining six people were about to be released from a Jerusalem prison.
Israeli forces fired tear gas into a crowd of Palestinians who had gathered outside Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank to demand the release of prisoners.
According to a deal brokered by Qatar between Israel and Hamas, Hamas will release 50 women and children of the approximately 240 people captured by the group in the October 7 attack in southern Israel.
In return, Israel plans to free 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons, victims of the Israeli occupation that has forced Palestinians into prisons for years with little due process. It has been regarded as such.
The prisoners taken by Hamas on October 7 include Israeli soldiers and civilians, as well as foreign nationals from dozens of countries. Both in Israel and abroad, families of prisoners of war are petitioning for their release.
Qatar’s Al-Ansari said the 10 Thais and Filipinos were released outside of the ceasefire agreement.
Earlier on Friday, Thai Prime Minister Sureta Thabissin said 12 Thai nationals who were helping in the Gaza Strip had been released.
“Security authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have confirmed that 12 Thai hostages have already been released,” he wrote on X.
At the time of the attack, about 30,000 Thai workers were employed in Israel, mainly in the agricultural sector, and at least 32 Thai workers were killed, according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thais seeking work abroad often come to Israel under agreements that pay them a minimum wage of about $2,000 per month.