Israel a second group confirmed this hostages released by the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamasarrived on Israeli territory.

The prisoners were held in the Gaza Stripwhere Hamas is active.

13 Israeli hostages and 12 Thai citizens are released by Hamas

The joint announcement by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security service comes after the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that the government was “the 17 hostages returning home, 13 of our citizens and 4 Thais”.

The first hostage taking took place on Friday, as part of an agreement between Hamas and the Israeli government. The ceasefire also includes a pause in fighting and the access of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The four-day extendable ceasefire, which was obtained on Wednesday by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, provides for the release of a total of 50 Israeli hostages, out of more than 200 prisoners in Gaza, and 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.

It represents a first moment of calm for Gazans, who are also subject to a “total siege” by Israel. with little access to water, food, electricity or medicine. (JO)