Israel Officially Confirms the Release of the First 24 Hostages Seized by Hamas Terrorists on October 7th

Thirteen Israelis, ten Thai nationals, and one Filipino citizen were freed today from the captivity of Hamas terrorists after 49 days of detention. The 24 hostages will be transported to the hospital after initial physical and mental health assessments at the Hatzorim IDF Base near Be'er Sheva, as reported by the Ministry of Health, according to the Times of Israel.

"The former hostages will meet with their families in hospitals and receive the necessary medical and psychological support," the statement said.

"Our forces will accompany the released hostages until they reach their families in the hospitals," said the Israel Defence Forces.

In a statement following the release of the first 13 Israeli hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Now we have completed the return of our first hostages — children, their mothers, and other women. Each of them is a whole world."

"But I emphasize to you, the families of the hostages, and to you, citizens of Israel: we are committed to the return of all our abducted. This is one of the goals of the war, and we strive to achieve all the goals of the war," Netanyahu added.

Second Minister of the Defence Cabinet Benny Gantz released a statement, stating that "the entire State of Israel is in a state of mixed emotions – joy, pain, sadness, and determination" since only a small percentage of hostages were released this evening.

He calls the struggle for the release of hostages a "moral imperative" and promises to continue the fight in Gaza until all are released.

The care for the released hostages and their families will be provided in specially designated areas of hospitals, separate from other patients, staff, and visitors. Initially, media access will be restricted, but later the former hostages and their families will be able to make their own decisions regarding interviews.

It is worth noting that a four-day ceasefire between Israel and the extremist group Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organization by the EU and the US, took effect this morning. During these four days, approximately 50 women and children are expected to be released from Israel.

In exchange, at the demand of Hamas terrorists, Israel will release 150 Palestinians convicted and imprisoned for attacks on Israeli civilians.