Hamas Releases 13 Israeli Hostages, Headed To Egypt Border – Details Inside
In a significant turn of events, Hamas has released 13 Israeli hostages, signifying a pivotal advancement in the ongoing truce and hostage swap arrangement facilitated by Qatar and Egypt.
The hostages, which include women and children, are currently in transit to the Rafah crossing on Gaza’s border with Egypt, where they are set to be handed over to the Red Cross.
Egypt, playing a crucial role in the mediation process, has affirmed its preparedness to accept a group of Israeli hostages as part of the agreement negotiated with Hamas.
The State Information Service (SIS) has officially stated, “Egypt’s mediation efforts have effectively secured the release of 12 Thai hostages and 13 Israelis, encompassing women and children, who were held by Hamas.”
It is noteworthy that the initial release of the 13 hostages does not encompass American citizens, as conveyed by a statement from a US official to CNN.
Nevertheless, there is optimism that Americans might be included in subsequent releases, with hopes expressed for their involvement in the initial batch of 50 hostages scheduled for release.
The expected liberation of 13 women and children from Gaza is slated for later today, aligning with the mediation initiatives spearheaded by Qatar. This development signifies a pivotal milestone in the ongoing endeavors to address the hostage situation and forge a truce in the region.
With inputs from CNN and Reuters..
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