Among those released late on Saturday evening is nine-year-old Emily Hand, who was held hostage by Hamas for more than 50 days. Her father Thomas Hand thought she was dead at first, but was able to hold her again on Saturday.
On Sunday – day three of the ceasefire – more of the hostages are expected to be released.
The exchange between Israel and Hamas continued on Saturday. A group of 17 hostages, including thirteen Israelis and four Thais, returned late Saturday night to Israeli territory after being released.
Emily Hand, who turned nine during the hostage period, was reunited with her family.
“We lack words to describe our feelings after 50 challenging and difficult days,” the family said in a statement released at a forum for hostages’ families.
Just before midnight, Israeli prison authorities announced that 39 Palestinians had been released as part of the settlement.
More will be released on Sunday
The temporary ceasefire – the first since the war started in early October – began early Friday morning and is expected to last at least four days. Altogether, at least 50 of the hostages are to be released by the militant Islamist movement Hamas during the pause in the fighting. 150 Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel.
More are expected to be released on Saturday.
– Late last night there was a new list of those to be released today, according to Israeli authorities. Now they have not come out with how many, or age. Probably because they got a cold shower when Hamas delayed the release yesterday, says TV4 Nyhetern’s Middle East correspondent Terese Cristiansson.
More aid came into Gaza
Aid shipments have now reached all the way to northern Gaza where the need is great after weeks of fighting. Among other things, ambulances and buses have arrived at the largely destroyed al-Shifas hospital to evacuate the remaining patients there.
– It is difficult to know what is going on in Gaza because we international journalists are not allowed in. According to Hamas, only about half of what is needed is allowed in. An incredible amount is needed to meet the needs in Gaza, says Terese Cristiansson.