Israel-Hamas truce: 12 Thai nationals along with 13 Israeli hostages freed from captivity in Gaza

livemint.com:

Israel-Hamas truce, twelve Thai nationals held captive by Hamas were released from Gaza on Friday. Along with them, thirteen Israeli captives were also released on the same day. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the release of twelve Thai hostages kidnapped by Palestinian militants during Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

"It has been confirmed by the security side and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 12 Thai hostages are already released," he posted on X. The first group of Israeli hostages were released by Hamas and are now travelling with the staff of the International Committee for Red Cross, reported The Times of Israel. The first group of Israeli hostages are travelling safely with the staff of the International Committee for Red Cross.

They are on the way from Khan Younis in southern Gaza to the Rafah crossing into Israel, an Israeli official told Times of Israel. These Israelis will later reunite with their family. The hostages are expected to pass through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.Thirty-nine Palestinian prisoners are also to be released by Israel.

The releases being made under the four-day cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that began on Friday. As part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas agreed to release some 50 hostages, which also include women and children over four days of the truce with Israel. The sides also agreed that Hamas might eventually free more hostages, in return for an extension of the ceasefire by an extra day for each 10 Israeli hostages, according to The Times of Israel report.