Fragile truce holds with more hostages, prisoners set to be freed

Dubai: Seven weeks in captivity have ended for 24 hostages abducted last month after a delicate exchange that marked the first stage of a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas.

Thirteen Israeli mothers and children were freed on Saturday, along with 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino, in exchange for 39 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons – 24 women, including some convicted of attempted murder for attacks on Israeli forces, and 15 teenagers jailed for offences such as throwing stones.

A helicopter carrying hostages released by Hamas lands at Schneider Children’s Medical Centre in Petah Tikva, Israel on Friday (Saturday AEDT).Credit: AP

More were expected to be released on day two. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it had received a new list of names.

Hamas will release 14 Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 42 Palestinian prisoners Saturday as part of the ongoing swap during the truce, according to a senior Egyptian official.

The Qatar-brokered deal had stipulated 50 Israeli hostages would be swapped for 150 jailed Palestinians. It is understood foreign hostages were not included in that count.

As the skies above Gaza appeared calm indicating the truce was holding, Netanyahu’s office said it had notified the families whose loved ones were set for release. Hamas abducted an estimated 240 hostages during its attack on Israel on October 7.

A convoy of ambulances transporting the 24 hostages drove out of Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah crossing. The Israelis were then taken to medical facilities in Israel before being reunited with their families.

People look at photographs of hostages, mostly Israeli civilians, who were abducted on October 7 by Hamas.Credit: AP

A statement from Schneider Children’s Medical Centre, where four women and four children were examined, said they were all in good physical condition.

The International Red Cross said all hostages were accompanied to the crossing by eight staff members in a four-car convoy.

“The deep pain that family members separated from their loved ones feel is indescribable. We are relieved that some will be reunited after long agony,” said Fabrizio Carboni, the International Red Cross regional director for the Near and Middle East.

The Thai nationals released were among at least 22 Thai hostages taken by Hamas. Some 32 of their fellow farmworkers were killed in the attack. Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said he was “overjoyed” at the news of the released workers.

In this photo provided by Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, 10 freed Thai hostages and an officer, fourth from the left, pose for a photo at Israel’s Shamir Medical Centre.Credit: AP

With the temporary ceasefire deal comes increased shipments of fuel and supplies into Gaza – though still only enough to dent the needs of the 2.3 million Palestinians who have endured weeks of Israeli bombardment, according to aid groups. Israel has agreed to allow the delivery of 130,000 litres of fuel a day into the enclave for humanitarian needs for the duration of the truce.

An Egyptian fuel truck waits to cross the Rafah border crossing into Gaza on Wednesday.Credit: AP

Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant monitored the operation from the IDF Operations Branch control centre at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv.

The swap marked a breakthrough after weeks of painstaking diplomatic negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt.

The Israeli Health Ministry has given assurances that freed mothers and children would not be separated on arrival.

Preparing for the hostage release, Israel’s Welfare Ministry gave guidelines to the military personnel escorting them, including advice not to hold the hands of children or hug them unless they agree.

“If the children [without parents] ask questions like, ‘Where is Mum?’ or ‘Where is Dad?’ soldiers should not answer these questions, even if they know the answers,” the ministry guidelines said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he welcomed the developments, adding that it was important all countries continued working towards “a sustainable ceasefire and a long-term, enduring peace”.

Palestinians walk through destruction in Gaza City on Friday as the temporary truce took effect.Credit: AP

Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated her call for all hostages to be released. “Australia is working with countries that have influence in the region towards this goal, and to help protect civilians and prevent the conflict from spreading.”

Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said the Palestinian community welcomed the release of hostages and prisoners.

“There’ll be enormous relief among those Palestinian families and communities who can finally welcome home the 150 Palestinian women and children who are to be released from Israeli prisons as part of the truce deal,” he said.He urged Israel to release the 2000 or so Palestinians held in administrative detention without charge.

The joint head of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry expressed mixed emotions as the Israeli hostages were returned to their families. Co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said while he was relieved, he remained concerned for those still believed to be held in Gaza, including family members of Australians.

An Israeli prison transport vehicle carries Palestinian prisoners released from Ofer military prison near Jerusalem.Credit: AP

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far, according to the Hamas health ministry. About 1200 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority during Hamas’ initial attack on Israel on October 7.

With Mary Ward, Broede Carmody, agencies

“Terms of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire”

• All fighting in Gaza halts for four days.
• Hamas will release 50 women and children held as hostages.
• In exchange, Israel will release 150 Palestinian women and children from jail.
• The truce deal will allow hundreds of trucks of humanitarian, medical and fuel aid to enter Gaza.
• Israel to extend truce by an extra day for every additional 10 hostages released by Hamas.

with AP, Reuters

More coverage of the Hamas-Israel conflict

• Hamas had bigger plans on October 7: Intelligence about Hamas’ motivations reveals an intention to strike a blow of historic proportions and provoke an overwhelming Israeli response.
• Escape from chaos: An Australian father faced a heartbreaking dilemma – whether to flee Gaza to his children, or stay with his wife.
• Open letters: Mass resignations, boardroom turmoil and angry donors are some of the ways the Israel-Hamas war is filtering down into Australia’s high-powered arts world.
• Gaza’s youth: One of the cruellest ironies of war is that they are never started by children, yet it is children who suffer the most.

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