Cease-fire Brings Hope as Israel Receives First Group of Hostages from Hamas
Thirteen Israelis, including four children, three mothers, and six elderly women, were returned to Israel after 49 days of captivity in Gaza. In return, Israel released 39 Palestinian security prisoners, including 24 women and 15 teenage offenders, who went back to their homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The prisoner exchange was the first of four that are to take place over a four-day cease-fire.
Among those released are from Kibbutz Nir Oz and Kibbutz Nirim: Yaffa Adar, 85; Emilia Aloni, 6, and her mother Danielle Aloni, 44; 2-year-old Aviv, 5-year-old Roz and mother Doron Katz-Asher; Ohad Munder-Zichri, 9, and his mother Keren, 54, and grandmother Ruti, 78; 72-year-old Adina Moshe; 77-year-old Hanna Katzir; Margalit Moses, 78; and Hannah Perry, 79.
Additionally, 10 Thai nationals and a Filipino were freed in a separate arrangement, mediated by Iran.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
The hostages, primarily from the small community of Nir Oz, crossed from Gaza into Egypt, with some seen walking across the border to waiting ambulances.
The International Red Cross confirmed their good health condition. Upon arrival in Israel, the hostages underwent medical and psychological check-ups at several medical centers, including Schneider’s Children’s Medical Center and Wolfson Medical Center. Most appeared in good health, though some elderly women at Wolfson were reported as “feeble and exhausted.”
Israel’s military operation “Heaven’s Door” facilitated the transfer of the hostages, who will spend at least 48 hours under observation before potentially returning home. The cease-fire, allowing for the release of around 50 hostages in exchange for approximately 150 Palestinian prisoners, may extend if more hostages are freed.
This first group is part of the 240 hostages held by Hamas since the armed group attacked Israeli communities near the Gaza border on Oct. 7.
