A Qatari official announced on Saturday that 24 hostages, including a Filipino, were released by the militant group Hamas as part of its deal with Israel for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
"Those released include 13 Israeli citizens, some of whom are dual citizens, in addition to 10 Thai citizens and a Filipino citizen," according to an X/formerly Twitter post by foreign ministry spokesperson of Qatar, Majed Al Ansari, who has information on the negotiations for the ceasefire.
In exchange for the release of the hostages, Israel also released 39 imprisoned Palestinians including women and children.
This marked the first ceasefire in Gaza since Israel attacked in response to Hamas' invasion of their territory on 7 October.
About 1000 civilians were killed amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants. Among the slain foreigners in the attacks are four Filipinos who work in Israel.
According to the Palestinian health official, more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel bombed and attacked Gaza. It was then confirmed by the International Red Cross on Friday that they had begun the operation for the Hamas hostages and released Israelis and Palestinians.
A spokesman said that about 24 hostages were evacuated from Gaza and handed over to Egyptian authorities at the Rafah border crossing including eight staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross or ICRC who were reported to be with them in the four-vehicle convoy.
"The deep pain that family members separated from their loved ones feel is indescribable. We are relieved that some will be reunited after a long agony," said Fabrizio Carboni, Regional Director of the ICRC in the Near and Middle East.
Based on the agreement, the ceasefire will last for four days and will release 50 hostages of Hamas in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.