Middle East conflict
13 more Hamas hostages are to be released – including eight children
Kassam Brigades fighters release a hostage
© AFP
Hostages abducted by Hamas are to be released again. The families of the prisoners have been informed of the release, Israeli media reported. Eight of the 13 hostages are children.
Another release of hostages is expected on the second day of the ceasefire in the Middle East war. Qatar mediates between the conflicting parties Israel and Hamas will announce how many prisoners will be able to leave hostage custody later today.
The first group of hostages was released on Friday. A two-minute video distributed by Hamas showed masked men with rifles and the green headbands of the Essedin al-Kassam Brigades, the Palestinian organization’s armed wing, handing over the hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Four Germans among Hamas hostages released
The 13 Israeli hostages, who were kidnapped with around 230 other people in the Gaza Strip during the radical Islamic Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, returned to their homeland shortly after their release. Among them were four dual nationals with German citizenship as well as several children and women over the age of 70. In return, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.
“There are approximately 215 hostages left in Gaza,” said Israeli army spokesman Doron Spielman. “In many cases we don’t know whether they are dead or alive.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) described the release as “good news” and emphasized that this could be “only the beginning”. “It’s good news that a first group of hostages has finally been released,” Scholz said on Friday on the short message service X, formerly Twitter. “Today can only be a beginning. Hamas must release all hostages unconditionally!” he demanded .
The release of all German hostages is the top priority
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) expressed “infinite relief” about the release of the hostages. She spoke of a “day of hope”. But it is now crucial “that everyone sticks to the agreements made and that more hostages are released in the next few days,” said the minister. “The release of all remaining hostages, especially the Germans among them, remains our top priority.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was determined to “bring back all of our hostages.” US President Joe Biden called for the ceasefire, which was initially scheduled to last four days, to be extended. He also spoke out in favor of “renewing” efforts to find a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.
Israel and Hamas concluded the agreement on the pause in fighting after lengthy negotiations mediated by Qatar. During the four-day ceasefire, 50 of the approximately 240 Hamas hostages are to be released. In return, 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be released from Israeli prisons.