Who are the hostages released on Friday?
39 Palestinian prisoners have also been swapped. In all, 50 captives are set to be freed during a 4-day truce.
GAZA -- The first group of hostages released by Hamas under a deal with Israel were safely returned on Friday, bringing to an end the first stage of the painstakingly negotiated arrangement between the warring sides with the help of foreign mediation.
The civilians included 13 Israeli women and children who had been captured by Hamas during its brutal cross-border raids on October 7 and held in the besieged Gaza Strip for 48 days amid worsening humanitarian conditions. All but one were abducted from the Nir Oz kibbutz, according to spokespeople for the kibbutz and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
The freed hostages were transferred from the Red Cross to Egyptian officials before being driven to Hatzarim Airbase in Israel, from where they are expected to be flown on to hospitals for medical checks.
Eleven foreign nationals were also released alongside the Israeli hostages: 10 Thai citizens and one Filipino citizen, according to a Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
The foreign nationals released by Hamas "all underwent an initial medical assessment" as they left Gaza "and their lives are not at risk," Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said. The group is expected to meet with representatives from their country at Hatzerim Airbase and will be transferred to the hospital as well, Hagari said.
Here's what you need to know about the released hostages:
Yafa Adar, 85
