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Today, the eyes of the whole world are fixed on Israel and Gaza. Both Hamas and Israel will release each other’s hostages and prisoners. The release of the hostages has been negotiated in two separate deals. Among them, 13 women and children are Israeli-foreign nationals who are to be released today. It is not clear whether the 23 Thai nationals will be released along with the Israeli hostages. A possible release of the hostages and a ceasefire are being brokered by Qatar and Iran. It will come into effect from 7 am local time and then the process of releasing the hostages will begin.
Israel and Hamas signed a four-day ceasefire on Wednesday after mediation by Qatar. This has also been aided by Egypt, which fears an alleged influx of displaced Palestinians. Hamas announced that it would release 13 captive Israeli women and children. The first batch of hostages is expected to be released at 4pm global time on Friday.
23 Thai citizens expected to be released
About two dozen Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas in Gaza are believed to be freed in the event of an Israeli hostage swap, according to a report Thursday. Thailand is appealing to Hamas through Iran to release its citizens. The London-based media organization Al-Arabi Al-Jadid, citing Egyptian sources, said that after Iranian mediation between Hamas and Thailand, Hamas is also ready to release 23 Thai hostages. Thailand says 26 of its citizens were taken hostage after the October 7 attack.
The ceasefire will be observed, there will be no aggression
Hamas issued a statement on its Telegram channel clarifying that its fighters would not carry out any attacks for four days. Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaydah said in a video that their fighters would strictly observe the ceasefire. Along with this, the Israeli army has also said that the army will remain in Gaza but will not carry out any attacks during the ceasefire. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the situation will be difficult and nothing is certain, but there may be some changes in the meantime.
Some important things related to the release of hostages
Two more months of fighting: Israel’s defense minister says he expects the military campaign against Hamas to continue “vigorously” for at least two months after the latest ceasefire.
No names of Palestinian prisoners: A Palestinian official told CNN that he has not yet received a list of the names of those who are expected to be released from Israeli prisons on Friday.
Biden hopes for release of 3-year-old girl: US President Joe Biden said he is confident that a 3-year-old American girl held hostage by Hamas will be released on Friday.
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