The first group of hostages taken captive by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel were released from Gaza hours after the initial four-day cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas took effect Friday morning, officials said.
Thirteen Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas on Friday, the head of Israel’s government press office confirmed to CBS News just after 5 p.m. local time.
Twelve Thai nationals were also released around 4 p.m. local time. The Thai prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, said on social media that Thai embassy officials were going to pick up the released hostages.
The chairman of Egypt’s State Information Service Diaa Rashwan said the release of the Thai nationals came after “intensive Egyptian efforts.”
The releases are part of a deal that calls for Hamas to free at least 50 hostages and Israel to release dozens of Palestinians from its prisons. Israel’s military sounded alarms in several villages near Gaza just minutes after the short-term truce began Friday morning, warning of possible incoming rocket fire, but there was no immediate word of ongoing violence between Israeli forces and Hamas, leaving hope that the first hostage releases under the deal would still go forward later
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