As part of the four-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, twelve Thai nationals and thirteen Israeli prisoners were freed from Gaza on Friday, according to Israeli media. The captives crossed into Egypt via the Rafah border.
Israel intends to free thirty-nine Palestinian inmates as well. A ceasefire that began on Friday made it possible for Gaza to receive much-needed supplies, despite the fact that there were still concerns that the war might break out after four days. For the length of the ceasefire, Israel has agreed to let the daily transport of 130,000 liters of gasoline into the besieged Gaza area in order to meet humanitarian requirements.
According to Israeli sources, the freed prisoners would be transported or flown to five different hospitals throughout the nation for medical care, if required, after arriving at the air base guarded by Israeli troops. The release of 12 Thai nationals was also announced in a tweet by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, just before that swap was scheduled to take place. The Thai prisoners had left Gaza and were traveling to an Israeli hospital, an Israeli official stated.
For every hostage that is freed, Israel is required to release three Palestinian detainees. Over the course of the following four days, the releases will happen gradually.
While Gazans were somewhat relieved by the brief cease-fire, many were worried that the “nightmare” will return soon since Israel has said that it is determined to restart its huge onslaught when the cease-fire expires. According to Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, “momentum” from the agreement will lead to a “end to this violence.” Qatar, the US, and Egypt acted as mediators for the agreement.
However, the AP said that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told soldiers that their break would be brief and that the conflict will intensify again for at least two more months, hours before the agreement went into force.
Over 13,300 Palestinians have been murdered by Israeli airstrikes, and over 6,000 more are thought to be missing, buried under the debris. 1,200 Israelis have also died in the current battle, mostly as a result of the October 7 strike.