Hamas is set to release a second group of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners today, as a truce is maintained in the devastated Gaza Strip after seven weeks of war.
Israeli prison authorities said 42 Palestinian prisoners, both men and women, would be released under the terms of the agreement, which calls for a three-to-one exchange.
The hostage transfer followed the first exchange yesterday, the first day of a four-day truce.
Hamas released 24 hostages yesterday, according to Qatar and an official Israeli list. Also, there were unexpectedly released ten Thais and one Filipino. Israel released 39 Palestinian women and children from its prisons.
In the suburbs of Tel Aviv, people applauded and raised Israeli flags as helicopters flew up to the freed captives. In other parts of the city, the smiling faces of freed hostages were projected on the walls of an art museum with the caption – “I am home.”
Today we are excited about the returnees, but I want us not to forget all those who have not yet returned, Yael Adar, daughter-in-law of former hostage Yaffa Adar, 85, told Israel’s Ynet news website.
At Wolfson Medical Centre, where five elderly female hostages were taken, Dr Shoshi Goldner said that “there was no one in the room that could hold his feelings and stop crying.”
Some 215 hostages remain in Gaza, although in many cases it is not known whether they are alive or dead, according to Israeli army spokesman Doron Spielman.
Under the agreement, negotiated between Israel, Palestinian militants, Qatar, Egypt and the United States, Hamas is to release a total of 50 hostages during the truce in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners.
It’s only a start, but so far it’s gone well, US President Joe Biden told reporters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to bring home all Hamas hostages.
