11/25/2023 09:16

Early on November 25 (Vietnam time), Qatar and the Red Cross announced that the Hamas Islamic Movement had released 24 people, marking the first group of hostages to be freed following a ceasefire agreement between the group and Israel.

International Red Cross vehicles transport freed hostages to the Rafah border crossing, southern Gaza Strip, November 24, 2023. Photo: THX

Qatari Foreign Minister Majed Al Ansari announced on social network X: "We confirm that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has received 24 citizens, including a number of women and children,"

Among the 24 people released by Hamas were 13 Israeli citizens, some with dual nationality, along with 10 Thai citizens and one Filipino, Mr. Al Ansari said.

The Red Cross branch in the area confirmed on the same day that it had received 24 hostages from Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They were taken to Egypt through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.

Also on November 24, the ICRC sent buses to Ofer prison in the West Bank to pick up 39 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel under the ceasefire agreement, including 24 women and 15 minors.

Israel also announced that it had received a list of hostages that Hamas would continue to release on November 25.

US President Joe Biden praised the US diplomatic response following the release of 24 hostages by Hamas earlier in the day, stressing that it was just the beginning of what he expects to be more hostage releases in the coming days.

“Starting this morning, as a result of extensive American diplomacy, including multiple calls I have made from the Oval Office to leaders across the region, the fighting in Gaza will cease for four days,” President Biden said at a press conference in Massachusetts.

President Biden declined to predict how long the war between Israel and Hamas would last, but said he thought the chances of extending the ongoing ceasefire were “real.” He also expressed hope that American hostages held by Hamas would be released.