After an initial delay in the planned release of hostages taken by Hamas after its deadly October 7 attack on Israel, the terrorist organization did finally release 24 of them on Friday โ 13 Israelis, 10 Thai citizens, and one Filipino citizen.
Surveillance video shared by Israel's official Twitter/X account showed the exact moment the 13 Israelis returned to Israeli territory.
The moment 13 of our loved ones entered Israeli territory.
โ Israel ืืฉืจืื ๐ฎ๐ฑ (@Israel) November 24, 2023
Welcome home ๐
๐ธ@IDF pic.twitter.com/reXgBLLeFx
Here is what we know thus far about the Israelis released:
The 13 freed Israelis are:
โ Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 24, 2023
Aviv Katz, 2
Raz Katz, 4
Emilia Aloni, 5
Ohad Mundar, 9
Doron Katz, 34
Danielle Aloni, 44
Keren Mundar, 54
Adina Moshe, 72
Hanna Katzir, 77
Ruth Mundar, 78
Margalit Mozes, 78
Channa Peri, 79
Yaffa Adar, 85 pic.twitter.com/NZ88FjJmy9
Six were elderly women, four were young children, and three were the mothers of the children. As indicated in the above tweet, they are:
- Aviv Katz, 2
- Raz Katz, 4
- Emilia Aloni, 5
- Ohad Mundar, 9
- Doron Katz, 34
- Danielle Aloni, 44
- Keren Mundar, 54
- Adina Moshe, 72
- Hanna Katzir, 77
- Ruth Mundar, 78
- Margalit Mozes, 78
- Channa Peri, 79
- Yaffa Adar, 85
Hanna Katzir had previously been reported to have died in captivity.
Among those released tonight is Hanna Katzir, whom the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group falsely said had died in captivity. โThis is the proof that [the public] should rely on official sources,โ [IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel] Hagari says.
Doron Katz and her daughters Aviv and Raz are pictured below, along with her husband, Yoni Asher, who expressed his gratitude for their release, along with his resolve that the remaining hostages be returned as well.
Yoni Asher, whose wife and two young daughters were freed today: "They are finally here, at home. There will be more time to talk about everything. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the support and the warm hug. There is no victory until everyone returns." pic.twitter.com/FKV7eKMcoa
โ Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 24, 2023
Jimmy Pachecho, a Filipino caregiver, was also one of those released today.
Jimmy - a Filipino caregiver and father of three - is among the released hostages. https://t.co/aTE055w3rs
โ Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 24, 2023
Those released have undergone initial evaluations and are reported to be in good health.
As of this writing, Hamas has not provided a list of additional hostages to be released, though the truce agreement provided that Israel would receive a list of those to be freed the night before their release.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke following the return of the hostages, celebrating their release but vowing not to stop until all hostages are returned home.
But I emphasize to you, the families, and to you, citizens of Israel: we are committed to returning all the hostages.
โ Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 24, 2023
This is one of the aims of the war and we are committed to achieving all the aims of the war.
"We just completed the return of the first of our hostages: children, their mothers and additional women. Each of them is an entire world.
But I emphasize to you, the families, and to you, citizens of Israel: we are committed to returning all the hostages.
This is one of the aims of the war and we are committed to achieving all the aims of the war."
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly indicated the number of elderly Israeli women released was five rather than six. The article has been updated to reflect the correct total. We apologize to our readers for the error.
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