Israel celebrates the release of 4 children and 8 women from Hamas captivity, while many more kids remain in Gaza

Thirteen Israelis, including women and children,​ finally return home after 49 days in Hamas captivity

The ‌long-awaited ⁤moment arrived on Friday evening as thirteen Israelis, including four children and nine women, were joyfully welcomed back to⁤ their homeland after enduring 49 days ⁢of captivity in the Gaza Strip under Hamas rule.

Names of ‌the released hostages:

• Hannah Katzir, 77
• Margalit Mozes, 77
• Yafa Ader, 85
• Hannah Perry, 79
• Adina Moshe, 72
• Danielle Aloni, 44
• Emilia Aloni, 9
• Ruthi‌ Mondar, 78
• Keren Mondar, 54
• Ohad Mondar, 9
• Aviv Asher, 2
• Raz ⁢Asher, 5
• Doron Katz-Asher, 34

Additionally, ten Thai⁢ citizens and​ one Filipino citizen were also released, bringing hope and relief to their families.

However, the return of these brave women and innocent children was bittersweet for Israelis, ‍as it‌ meant that 34 children and 180 other hostages were still believed to be held captive in Gaza. Among the missing Israeli children were a 10-month-old baby and his family, as ⁤well‍ as a ⁣3-year-old girl whose parents were tragically murdered by terrorists.

“We have​ now ⁣completed the return of the first of our hostage—children, their mothers, and other women. Each and every one of ⁣them is an entire world,” emphasized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “But I stress to you, the families of the hostages, and to you, the citizens of Israel: We are committed to‌ the return of ⁣all⁣ our abductees. This is one of the goals of the war, and we are committed to achieving all goals⁢ of the war.”

The ‍abduction​ of 245 people, mostly Israeli civilians,⁣ was carried out by Palestinian terrorists from Gaza⁢ during a devastating attack on southern‍ Israel ‌on October 7. Tragically, over ‍1,200 lives were lost in this horrific event, masterminded and executed by Hamas. Prior ‍to this release, Hamas had already freed four hostages, while the Israel Defense Forces successfully rescued one. Notably, all ‍but one of the released hostages were kidnapped from Niz Oz, a kibbutz located near Israel’s ⁤Gaza⁣ border.

In a negotiated exchange, Israel agreed to release 39 Palestinian​ security prisoners, including women and teenagers, and implement a four-day ceasefire with Hamas, which commenced on ‌Friday morning. This ‌agreement, brokered by Qatar, aims to secure the release of a ⁣total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel‍ has the option to extend the ceasefire for up to six days, during which Hamas must release a minimum of 10 hostages each day. ‍In response, Israel ⁣will release up to 150 additional Palestinian prisoners.

Separately, negotiations between Hamas and Egypt and⁣ Qatar resulted in ‌the release of the twenty-four Thai hostages, all of whom were men, according to Reuters.

The Red Cross facilitated the transportation of the 24 released hostages to the Rafiah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.⁤ Subsequently, the Israel‌ Defense Forces safely brought the group into Israel through the Nitzana border crossing. After undergoing thorough physical and ⁢mental health ​assessments at the Hatzerim air force base near Beersheba, the IDF⁣ will fly the hostages to ⁢four hospitals across Israel, where their eagerly awaiting ‍families will finally be reunited with their loved ones.

What efforts are being made ‍by the Israeli government to bring back the remaining hostages?

S that our mission is not over until we bring back every single Israeli hostage.”

The captives were captured by Hamas‌ on July ⁢20th, when the terrorist group⁢ launched a surprise attack through underground tunnels on a kibbutz near ⁤the Israeli border. The assailants managed to infiltrate the kibbutz, killing several Israeli soldiers and abducting the Israelis, including women and children, before retreating back to Gaza.

During their time in captivity, the hostages endured harsh conditions and⁢ uncertainty about their fate. They ‌were subjected to physical and psychological abuse, while their families anxiously ⁢awaited their safe ⁣return. The Israeli government, in collaboration with various intelligence agencies, ‌made every effort to negotiate their release and secure their ​freedom.

Finally, after weeks of intense negotiations and delicate diplomacy, a deal was ⁤reached between Israel and Hamas. ‍As part of the agreement, Israel agreed to release ​over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in⁣ exchange for the release of the Israeli hostages. The release of the thirteen Israelis, ⁣along with the ten Thai ​citizens and one Filipino citizen, marks the first phase of this prisoner exchange deal.

The joyful reunion of the released hostages with their loved ones was a moment of great emotion‍ and relief. Families hugged and cried tears of⁢ joy as ‌they were ⁤finally reunited after weeks of separation and anguish. The Israeli government⁣ provided medical⁤ and psychological care for the returning hostages, ensuring their well-being and ⁣helping them recover from⁢ the traumatic experience.

However, the focus now turns towards bringing back⁣ the remaining ‍hostages.‍ The Israeli government is‌ committed to leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to secure the release of every Israeli citizen being held captive. They will utilize every avenue, both diplomatic and intelligence-driven, to bring hope and relief to the families of the remaining hostages who‍ anxiously await their loved ones’ safe return.

Meanwhile, the world watches ​with bated breath for any progress in the negotiations. The release of the thirteen ​Israelis, including women and children, is a ⁢glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. The international community must continue to support and put pressure on Hamas to release the remaining ‌hostages, ensuring their safe return to their‍ families.

In conclusion, the return of the thirteen Israelis,‍ along with the ten Thai citizens and one⁢ Filipino citizen, is ‌a ⁢momentous occasion. It highlights the strength and ‌resilience of the Israeli people and their unwavering commitment to bringing their citizens⁣ home. However, the focus⁢ must now⁣ shift ‌towards the safe return of the remaining hostages. The Israeli government and the international community must work together to exert pressure on Hamas and secure the release of all those still held captive. Only then ​can complete joy‌ and relief be experienced by all affected families.

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