The first group of hostages Hamas abducted on October 7 was released on Friday (November 24) after Israel and Hamas struck a deal brokered by the United States and Qatar as part of an at least four-day truce in the fighting.

Media reports indicated that the 13 Israeli hostages that were freed were composed of women and children in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

(Photo : Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Families of the hostages and others watch the news broadcasts as hostages are released into Egypt before being brought into Israel by the ICRC, outside the Museum of Tel Aviv on November 24, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel. A four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began this morning, although Israeli forces remain in Gaza. A total of 50 hostages currently held by Hamas are to be released during the temporary truce, the first such pause in fighting since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched its surprise attack and Israel responded with a vast military offensive to destroy the militant group that governs Gaza. Under the deal, 150 Palestinian prisoners are also to be released from Israel, and more humanitarian aid will be admitted at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing.

According to The Times of Israel, the first group of Israeli hostages have been handed over to aid workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Upon crossing, the hostages were turned over to Egyptian authorities, and then, Israel Defense Force (IDF) helicopters would take them to the hospital for treatment and trauma debriefing.

Meanwhile, the 39 Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli jails, particularly in Ofer Prison in the West Bank, have also been released, Qatari officials confirmed.

Thai Hostages Also Released

Also released on Friday were around 12 Thai nationals who were also taken hostage by Hamas.

"It has been confirmed by the Security Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 12 Thai hostages have already been released," Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "Embassy officials are on their way to pick them up in another hour. They should know their names and details. Please stay tuned."

The Guardian reported that 14 other Thai hostages remain in captivity.

It was revealed by Reuters that the Thai hostages were part of a separate deal negotiated by Hamas with Qatar and Egypt.

However, Qatari officials claim that the non-Israeli hostages freed were only 11—10 Thai and a single Filipino.

Read Also: Families of Hamas Hostages Express Concern as Ceasefire in Gaza Delayed, Israel Continues Attacks

Spanish and Belgian Ambassadors Summoned by Israel After PMs' Statements in Rafah

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and held a press conference just minutes before the agreed-upon time for the release of the first batch of hostages.

During the joint statement, both premiers welcomed the four-day pause in the fighting and the influx of humanitarian aid. However, they also called for a more permanent ceasefire, saying that the current truce in Gaza was not enough.

(Photo : Erik Marmor/Getty Images)
Ambulances are seen outside the Schneider medical centre, where it is believed some of the released hostages may be brought, on November 24, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. A four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began this morning, although Israeli forces remain in Gaza. A total of 50 hostages currently held by Hamas are to be released during a four-day truce with Israel, the first such pause in fighting since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched its surprise attack and Israeli responded with a vast military offensive to destroy the militant group that governs Gaza. Under the deal, 150 Palestinian prisoners are also to be released from Israel, and more humanitarian aid will be admitted at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to summon the Belgian and Spanish ambassadors in order to reprimand them for the comments Sanchez and De Croo made, the Jerusalem Post reported.

"We condemn the false claims of the Prime Ministers of Spain and Belgium who give support to terrorism," Cohen said. "Israel is acting according to international law and is fighting a murderous terrorist organization worse than ISIS that commits war crimes and crimes against humanity."

In a separate statement, Netanyahu strongly condemned the words of both prime ministers for not placing full responsibility for the crimes against humanity committed by Hamas, who massacred Israeli citizens and used the Palestinians as human shields.

Neither Belgium nor Spain took part in talks for the hostages' release.

Related Article: Truce Between Israel, Hamas Commences Ahead of Hostage Swap, Aid Influx