Hamas frees 17 more hostages, who are already in Israel

A group of 17 hostages from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) were released this Saturday night. The hostages have been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which has transferred them through Rafá to Egyptian territory and from there they have entered Israeli territory through Kerem Shalom.

"Our forces are already accompanying the freed hostages and will escort them until they are with their families in hospitals," the Israeli Armed Forces highlighted in an official statement.

The text calls for "patience, sensitivity and respect for the privacy of the freed hostages and their families."

Earlier, Red Cross representatives had transferred the hostages to Egypt, including thirteen Israelis and four kidnapped Thai nationals.

The Israeli Armed Forces have already published the official list of those released, which includes Hila Rotem, twelve years old, whose mother, 54, remains kidnapped; Emily Hand, 9 years old; Noam and Alma Or, aged 17 and 13, whose father and cousin are still held in Gaza, and Noam Avigdori, aged 12, and his mother, Sharon Avigdori, aged 52.

Also released have been Shoshan Haran, 67; her daughter, Adi Shoham, 38, and her sons, Yahel, three years old, and Naveh, eight; Shiri Weiss, 53, and her daughter, Noga Weiss, 18, as well as Maya Regev, 21.

The current truce agreement includes the release of 509 Israeli hostages - women and children - and the paralysis of the Israeli military offensive. For its part, Israel agrees to release three Palestinian prisoners for each hostage. The agreement itself provides for extending the truce for another day in exchange for ten more Hamas hostages.