Screengrab, via X.
The Hamas Movement released the second group of Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip late on November 25 after a short delay that was blamed on Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli military confirmed in a statement that 13 Israeli citizens, all women and children, and four Thai nationals, were released by Hamas and handed over to Egypt then crossed into Israel. One of the Israeli citizens was reportedly wounded, but in a stable condition.
The Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, earlier said it had handed over 13 Israelis and seven foreigners to the Red Cross. The reason for the discrepancy in the reported number of foreigners released was not immediately clear.
A video released by Hamas showed the hostages in good physical condition as masked militants led them to Red Cross vehicles headed out of Gaza.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel released 29 Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli Prisons Service said that the prisoners were released from three different prisons: Megiddo, Ofer and Damun. All of the freed prisoners are either women or children.
The hostages were released hours later than expected after Hamas accused Israel of violating the exchange agreement, by blocking aid trucks to northern Gaza and not adhering to the agreed-upon standards for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
These claims were denied by Israeli officials, who threatened to resume military operations in the Strip by midnight if the hostages were not released.
The setback didn’t apparently affect the ceasefire agreement. On November 26, the Israeli Prime Minister Office confirmed that it had received the list of hostages who are slated to be released on the third day of the ceasefire.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar, who helped broker the agreement between Israel and Hamas, are now reportedly making efforts to extend the ceasefire by at least one or two days in order to secure the release of more Israeli hostages and the entry of more aid into Gaza.
in israeli maths, 13 * 3 = 29 (and foreigners don’t count as hostages)
why can’t ham as just hand over all the hostages and give up their terrorism? then the killing and destruction will stop!