Red Cross confirms it has facilitated first phase of hostage release pact
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed that its team has begun facilitating the release of hostage held by Hamas in Gaza.
“It’s a tremendous relief that after enduring weeks of distress, they can finally reunite with their families,” the ICRC’s account for Israel and the Occupied Territories said in a post on social media.
— Karen Gilchrist
Released Thai hostages cross the border into Israel
The twelve Thai hostages released by Hamas have now crossed into Israel, Israeli news outlet Haaretz reported Friday.
The identities of the captives have not yet been released, though they are all reported to be men. CNBC could not independently verify the reports.
The release differs from the exchange of 13 Israeli women and children which also occurred Friday.
— Karen Gilchrist
Released hostages cross into Egypt
Twenty-five hostages released by Hamas have been transferred from Gaza to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, Egyptian officials said Friday.
The transfer was made moments after the 13 Israeli and 12 Thai captives were freed at around 4:30 p.m. local time.
The 13 Israelis were initially handed over to the Red Cross under a Qatar-brokered deal, which also stipulated a four-day humanitarian pause. The release of the Thai nationals, which was confirmed by the country’s prime minister, is understood to be part of a separate arrangement.
— Karen Gilchrist
Israeli captives transferred to the Red Cross
Thirteen Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas have now been transferred to the Red Cross, according to NBC, as part of a broader four-day truce deal.
The exchange took place at roughly 4:30 p.m. local time, after a humanitarian pause in fighting was implemented at 7 a.m. earlier on Friday, under the terms of the same agreement. It was initially disclosed that the Friday swap would see 13 captives released by Hamas in exchange for the freedom of 24 women and 15 teenage boys from Israeli…
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