HAMAS hostages have finally begun to be released following nearly 50 days of captivity in Gaza and will soon be reunited with their families.
The first batch of 13 women and children have now safely crossed into Egypt, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after being escorted out of Gaza by the Red Cross.
ReutersHundreds gathered at the Rafah crossing point on Friday to welcome the released hostages[/caption]
IDFThe IDF have prepared a toy-filled rescue centre for the freed children[/caption]
Israeli soldiers wait for the return of Israeli children hostages at the helipad of the Schneider Children’s Medical Centre in Petah Tikva
ReutersProtesters hold placards of Israeli child hostages outside the Tel Aviv offices of Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in Tel Aviv, Israel[/caption]
Footage released by Israeli TV – which The Sun has not verified – showed six ambulances believed to be carrying the hostages.
Hundreds gathered at the Rafah crossing point on Friday and waited in anxious anticipation to see the released hostages.
It was unknown what kind of condition they would be in after spending seven weeks in the terrorists’ lair.
Many would be unaware of the atrocities that have unfolded since their capture and whether any of their loved ones have been killed in the ongoing conflict.
No British hostages will be released today, according to Sky News.
It comes after Israel unveiled its heartbreaking rescue centre where it planned to take the freed women and children in a special operation dubbed “Heaven’s Door”.
Today marked the beginning of a four-day truce period between Israel and Hamas, with a ceasefire starting at 7am local time.
The terror group agreed to free at least 50 of the 240 hostages it snatched on October 7 in return for 150 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel will release 24 women and 15 teenage boys from its jails today in exchange for the 13 hostages previously held by Hamas in Gaza, a Palestinian official said.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed on Friday afternoon that 12 Thai hostages held by Hamas had already been released.
He wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “It has been confirmed by the Security Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that There are 12 Thai hostages already released.
“Embassy officials are on their way to pick them up in another hour. Their names and details should be known. Please stay tuned.”
Shocking CCTV footage last week released by Israel appeared to show Hamas terrorists drag hostages including a Thai civilian into Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital, under which Israel claims the terrorists are based.
A list of the hostages set to be released by Hamas in the coming days includes Irish-Israeli nine-year-old Emily Hand, meaning she should soon be returned to her distressed family.
Her shattered dad Thomas Hand, 63, broke down earlier this week saying his little girl must be thinking: “Where’s my daddy, why didn’t he come to save me?”
Emily was snatched from bed during a sleepover at a friend’s house in Be’eri Kibbutz and taken to Gaza on October 7.
An update from Sky News on Friday afternoon said no British hostages would be released today.
Americans were also not among the first released, claims CNN.
Israel Defence Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said earlier today: “In the past day, the IDF completed its preparation for the reception of the abductees who returned to Israel from the Gaza Strip.
“As part of the preparation, the IDF set up and trained initial reception points, where a medical envelope will be provided if required and escort [hostages].
“After that, the returnees will continue to the hospitals where they will meet with their families.”
Videos of the reception points show boxes of items including underwear, baby wipes, blankets, and sanitary products, tables and chairs and beanbags, and large buffet-style dishes of hot food – as well as teddy bears, colouring-in books, soccer balls, and stickers for the tiniest of the hostages.
The operation, dubbed “Heaven’s Door”, will see hostages including children brought by the IDF to the Hatzerim airbase in southern Israel where they will undergo a short physical and mental checkup.
The families of the released hostages are waiting at the hospitals, with hotel rooms reserved for them in the area.
The “Heaven’s Door” process will be repeated over the next four days as the rest of the 50 hostages are released from Hamas captivity.
X / TwitterThe IDF says 40 children have been abducted by Hamas since the October 7 assault[/caption]
AFPAn installation of children’s clothing and toys is set up for youngsters taken hostage by Hamas militants during the October 7 attack[/caption]
Schneider Children’s Medical Centre of Israel has recommended the child hostages stay at least 48 hours under observation before going home.
GettyThe Rafah crossing point[/caption]
APEmily Hand was snatched by Hamas during a sleepover at her friend’s house in Kibbutz Be’eri[/caption]
Israeli soldiers on foot storm the Balata refugee camp during a large-scale raid in the Balata refugee campRex
Palestinians return to their homes in southern Gaza to inspect their homes following weeks of Israeli bombardmentRex
Strollers with 30 posters on are on display at Shoreline Park in Santa Barbara, each with an image of a child kidnapped by HamasRex
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