Emotional scenes as Hamas and Israel swap hostages and prisoners amid 4-day ceasefire

Nov 25, 2023

Israel and Hamas have swapped 1st batch of prisoners and hostages as part of a swap deal on November 24. Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas released 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and one Filipino. Israeli media reported that Israeli Army helicopters took off from the Hatzeri base to receive the released. The hostages were then transferred to hospitals to reunite with their family members, as per Israel Defense Forces. Jubilant Israelis cheered and welcomed the hostages as they were transported by helicopters to a hospital. In exchange for the 24 Hamas hostages, Israel has also freed 39 Palestinian prisoners. The prisoners included 24 women and 15 children, who were transferred to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Under the mediation by Qatar and Egypt, Hamas and Israel had reached the 4-day humanitarian ceasefire. Further exchanges of hostages for Palestinian prisoners are due to take place