Israel-Gaza War: Families Relief As Hostages Released

Families of 13 Israeli hostages released by Hamas have spoken of their relief at their return.

The group, which includes young children and elderly women, are now back in Israel after being brought by the Red Cross from Gaza into Egypt.

Soon after, 39 Palestinian detainees were released across the Beitunia checkpoint in the West Bank.

Ten Thai nationals and one Filipino were also released by Hamas, in a deal separate to the one mediated by Qatar.

Under the terms of the Qatar deal, a total of 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinian detainees are meant to be released over four days during a temporary pause in the fighting.

The hostages released by Hamas on Friday were taken to an Egyptian hospital for medical assessments before being taken back to Israel.

The Israelis include four children – aged two, four, six and nine – as well as an 85-year-old woman.

“We have now completed the return of the first of our hostages. Children, their mothers and other women. Each and every one of them is a entire world,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

“But I emphasise to you – the families, and to you – the citizens of Israel: We are committed to the return of all our hostages.”

Yoni Asher’s wife, Doron Katz Asher, 34, and their two daughters Raz, four, and Aviv, two, have been released.

“I am determined to bring about the resurrection of my family from the trauma and the terrible bereavement we went through,” Mr Asher told the BBC.

“I don’t celebrate, I won’t celebrate until the last of the kidnapped returns,” he said.

“The families of the kidnapped are not posters, they are not slogans, they are real people, and the families of the kidnapped are from today my new family, and I will make sure and do everything that the last of the kidnapped comes home.”