Hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for nearly 50 days have begun their release and are on their way to reunite with their families. The International Committee for the Red Cross is facilitating the release, with the first group, expected to include 13 women and children, already in ambulances heading out of Gaza. Israel, in a poignant move, revealed a rescue center called “Heaven’s Door” to receive the freed hostages. A four-day truce period, starting at 7 am local time, marks the beginning of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas agreed to release at least 50 of the 240 hostages abducted on October 7 in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. In response, Israel is releasing 24 women and 15 teenage boys. The Thai Prime Minister confirmed the release of 12 Thai hostages held by Hamas, with plans for embassy officials to pick them up.
CCTV footage released by Israel showed Hamas terrorists dragging hostages, including a Thai civilian, into Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital. Among the hostages released by Hamas is nine-year-old Irish-Israeli Emily Hand, who was taken from her bed during a sleepover in October.
The Rafah crossing point witnessed hundreds awaiting the released hostages. The condition of the hostages, who spent seven weeks in captivity, remains uncertain. Israel Defense Forces set up reception points with medical assistance, and the operation, named “Heaven’s Door,” will involve bringing hostages, including children, to the Hatzerim airbase for checkups.
The families of the released hostages are eagerly awaiting their arrival at the hospitals, with hotel rooms reserved for them in the area. The “Heaven’s Door” process will continue over the next four days as the remaining hostages are released from Hamas captivity.
