A group of 13 Israeli citizens arrived back in Israel on Friday after being held hostage for nearly two months by Hamas terrorists.
The hostages were released as part of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as Israeli units go door to door inside Gaza to hunt down those responsible for murdering 1,200 Israelis, wounding 5,300+, and kidnapping more than 240.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, immediately met with the released hostages once they entered Israeli territory and had them undergo an initial medical assessment.
“They will continue to be accompanied by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families,” the IDF said. “The IDF, together with the entire Israeli security establishment, will continue operating until all the hostages are returned home.”
תיעוד מרגע כניסת השבים לשטח מדינת ישראל: pic.twitter.com/dF4G6GK7Bq
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) November 24, 2023
The IDF said that it was important for people to remember what the hostages have been through and that people should demonstrate “patience and sensitivity during this time out of respect for the released hostages and their families.”
The Times of Israel reported that the 13 released hostages included Hanna Katzir, 77; Margalit Mozes, 77; Yafa Ader, 85; Hannah Perry, 79; Adina Moshe, 72; Danielle Aloni, 44; Emilia Aloni, 9; Ruthi Monder, 78; Keren Monder, 54; Ohad Monder, 9; Aviv Asher, 2; Raz Asher, 5; and Doron Katz-Asher, 34.
BREAKING: 13 hostages are back in Israel pic.twitter.com/NiXx3mVPTR
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) November 24, 2023
In exchange for receiving the 13 innocent hostages back, Israel agreed to release 39 Palestinian women and minors — all of whom were convicted criminals — from Israeli prisons. Israel also agreed to allow more aid to enter Gaza as part of the temporary ceasefire.
Approximately 37 more Israeli hostages are expected to be released in the coming days, and Israel is expected to release a little over 100 additional Palestinian convicts from prison.
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Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that in addition to the 13 Israeli hostages that were released, 10 Thai citizens and a Filipino citizen were also released.