- By Kamal Kumar
- Sat, 25 Nov 2023 08:35 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Israel-Hamas War: After an intense battle for over a month and a half since the war erupted on October 7, Friday marked a crucial point in the Israel-Hamas war as both countries swapped prisoners lodged in each other's captivity. According to Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Hamas released a total of 24 hostages including 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and one Filippines Citizen in an exchange facility which overlaps with the ceasefire brokered by the Arabian nation.
Here are the Israel-Hamas War top updates
1. According to a report by CNN, the Israeli prison service released a total of 39 Palestinian women and minors on Friday from three Israeli prisons: Damon, Megiddo, and Ofer.
2. A total of 24 hostages — 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and one Filipino — were released by Hamas on Friday to the Red Cross in Gaza. Some of the released Israeli prisoners have dual citizenship, AP reported.
3. Significantly, during the four-day truce with Israel, Hamas has consented to free 50 hostages, most of them women and children.
4. According to the Times of Israel, Hamas abducted more than 240 prisoners during the October 7 attack. The released hostages are only a small group out of some 240 people.
Also Read: Body Of Shani Louk, Woman Paraded Naked By Hamas Militants, Recovered From Gaza: IDF
5. According to the news report, Israel is planning to release 150 Palestinian prisoners detained for terrorist activities. In exchange for 50 Israelis, all the individuals to be released will be women and minors.
6. This marks the initial phase of the four-day ceasefire and hostage truce brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States between Israel and Hamas.
7. The truce allows the entry of fuel and humanitarian supplies into Gaza, marking the first pause in hostilities since the conflict began seven weeks ago. More than 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, lost their lives due to Hamas' attack on October 7.
8. "The days ahead of us will be complicated, nothing is over until it's over. We should be prepared," remarked Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces, on Friday, hinting at a possible escalation in the strikes after the truce period is over.
9. It has been confirmed by the security side and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 12 Thai hostages are already released. Embassy officials are on their way to pick them up in another hour. Their names and details should be known. Please stay tuned,” Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on X.
10. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed on Saturday that the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict signifies "significant progress" in the ongoing dispute. He also welcomed the release of hostages by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
