Hamas and Israel Swap Hostages, Prisoners On First Day of Cease-Fire

In the first glimmer of hope since the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7, two dozen hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for nearly fifty days are now free. In total, 13 Israelis, ten people from Thailand, and a Filipino citizen were successfully released on Friday in the first stage of a swap for Palestinian prisoners in Israel under a four-day cease-fire deal, according to The Associated Press.

The prime minister’s office in Israel released a list of 13 hostages freed:

Margalit MozesAdina Moshe Daniel AloniEmilia AloniYafa AdarOhad MunderKeren MunderRuth MunderAviv AsherRaz AsherDoron Katz AsherHana KatzirChanna Peri

Upon their release, the hostages were taken to three Israeli hospitals for observation. The Schneider Children’s Medical Center confirmed it was treating eight Israelis—four children and four women—who appeared to be in good physical condition. Based on reporting by AP, the center said they were also receiving psychological treatment, adding that “these are sensitive moments” for the families.

In exchange, Israel released 39 Palestinians, comprising of 24 women and 15 teenage males, detained for a range of alleged offenses ranging from attempted murder to throwing stones. In videos obtained by CNN, the freed prisoners returned to their hometowns and villages in Jerusalem and the West Bank amid cries of joyous celebration. 

Brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the tentative deal is to release at least 50 hostages held by Hamas. In return, Israel will free 150 Palestinian prisoners. A senior White House official confirmed that no Americans were expected to be part of the first group.

The goal is that “momentum” from the deal will lead to an “end to this violence,” said Majed al-Ansari, a Foreign Ministry of Qatar spokesman.

After the truce began Friday morning, four trucks of urgently needed fuel and four trucks of cooking gas entered Gaza from Egypt, as well as 200 trucks of relief supplies—not enough to prevent extreme food insecurity, according to the UN World Food Programme.

“Supplies of food and water are practically non-existent in Gaza and only a fraction of what is needed is arriving through the borders. With winter fast approaching, unsafe and overcrowded shelters, and the lack of clean water, civilians are facing the immediate possibility of starvation,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

The fragile cease-fire could be extended if more hostages are released, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it had received a new list of hostages to be released by Hamas on Saturday.