GAZA — Twenty-four hostages were among the first group released by Hamas on Friday, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They were transferred to the Red Cross amid a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, multiple sources confirmed to ABC News.
A total of 50 prisoners are to be released during a four-day truce. Thirty-nine Palestinian prisoners were also released in the swap, according to officials.
The first group of Hamas hostages were handed over to the Red Cross on Friday morning amid a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, multiple sources confirmed to ABC News.
President Biden made the remarks Friday following the release of hostages from Gaza.
The Israeli government released the names of the Israeli hostages released Friday by Hamas.
All of the hostages released Friday were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz, according to a spokesman.
The freed hostages, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, are:
An undated handout photo of sisters Aviv, right, and Raz Asher Katz.
Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum via AP
- Doron Katz-Asher, 34, and her children Raz Asher, 4, and Aviv Asher, 2;
- Danielle Aloni, 45, and her 5-year-old daughter Amelia;
An undated handout photo of Danielle Aloni and her daughter Emilia.
Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum via AP
- Ruth Munder, 78, and her 54-year-old daughter, Karen Munder, and Karen’s 9-year-old son Ohad Munder;
Undated photo of Keren Munder and her son Ohad.
Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum via AP
Undated handout photo of Hannah Perry.
Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum via AP
An undated photo of a Jaffa Adar distribution.
Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum via AP
Undated handout photo of Margalit Moses.
Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum via AP
The government along with all security forces will accompany them and their families.
Three Americans are said to be on the list of potential hostages to be released, but it has not been said whether they are among the initial group.
Twelve Thai nationals have also been released, according to Thai Prime Minister Sreta Thavisin.
Israel must release 150 Palestinians over the next four days as part of the deal.
Israeli officials say they may consider extending the truce as more hostages are released, ABC News reported.
Several Americans are still missing.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Previous coverage is below
A four-day ceasefire is in place in the Middle East after an agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas in an attempt to free Israeli hostages and deliver aid to Gaza.
Israeli authorities confirm that a preliminary list of the hostages’ names has been received and is in contact with their families.
The ceasefire was an international effort, brokered by Qataris, Egyptians and Americans. A senior US official told ABC News that President Biden was very active in the hostage negotiations.
There are more details on how the parole of the Israeli hostages will go today from an Israeli source with direct knowledge of the current plan.
There is now much anticipation for the first release of hostages who are due to be freed in just hours.
Israeli officials announced that the truce began early at midnight ET on Friday. Qatari authorities expect the first hostages in the initial group released by Hamas to be 13 women and children in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The deal will last for four days.
Hostage families remain hopeful despite delays.
“I still fear for his life and we don’t know anything about him, his medical condition and so on. It’s a nightmare to wait,” Eli David said.
Once the hostages are freed, the Red Cross will take them one by one through an undisclosed area of the border before handing them over to the IDF. From there, the hostages will undergo a medical examination and then be allowed to speak to their families by phone.
Based on their medical needs, officials say the hostages will go to one of five designated hospitals.
There, everyone will be questioned – except for the children – before being reunited with their families.
Asked if he expected the youngest known American hostage, Abigail Adan, to be released, President Biden said “fingers crossed.”
Hamas says that during the ceasefire, Israeli planes will also stop flying over the northern Gaza Strip for six hours a day.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
