Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip released a third group of Israeli hostages on Sunday as part of a prisoner exchange with Israel. This comes a day after the captives, including a young woman who was kidnapped from a desert rave, were freed.
The exchange, however, faced delays as Hamas accused Israel of breaching its side of the deal that led to a four-day ceasefire in the seven-week-old war. Despite the dispute, Hamas eventually released 13 Israelis and four Thai hostages on Saturday night.
In return, Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that it had received a list of hostages due to be released by Hamas on Sunday. The list is currently being checked by security officials, and the families of the hostages have been informed.
Among the hostages freed on Saturday was 21-year-old Maya Regev, who had been kidnapped by Hamas fighters during their assault on the Supernova music festival. This brutal episode was part of the broader October 7 attack on Israel. Maya Regev and her 18-year-old brother Itay, who was also abducted from the festival, were shown tied up in the back of a pick-up truck in a video posted on social media after the attack.
The families of the hostages expressed both joy and concern. Maya Regev’s mother, Mirit, said in a statement released by the hostage families’ forum, “I am so excited and happy that Maya is on her way to us now. Nonetheless, my heart is split because my son Itay is still in Hamas captivity in Gaza.”
The release of 9-year-old Israeli-Irish hostage Emily Hand brought immense relief to her family. They stated, “We can’t find the words to describe our emotions after 50 challenging and complicated days. We are overjoyed to embrace Emily again, but at the same time, we remember… all the hundreds of hostages who have yet to return.”
The ceasefire and hostage-for-prisoner swap have provided some relief to both sides since October 7 when Hamas fighters breached Gaza’s militarized border with Israel, taking hundreds of hostages and causing the death of about 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel launched a comprehensive military offensive, including airstrikes, artillery and naval bombardment, and a ground offensive to dismantle Hamas. The Hamas government in Gaza reported that nearly 15,000 people were killed, mostly civilians, including thousands of children.
There are discussions about extending the ceasefire for a day or two and releasing more hostages and prisoners. Egypt has received positive feedback from both sides regarding this idea. US President Joe Biden stated, “It’s only a start, but so far it’s gone well,” and expressed that “the chances are real” for extending the truce.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has called for “a permanent ceasefire and a complete cessation of hostilities.”
Source: The Manila Times
