In a momentous development, 13 Israeli hostages, including four children and six elderly women, were released from a 49-day ordeal under Hamas captivity in Gaza. The release was part of a four-day truce facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. The hostages were the first batch of 50, and their freedom is contingent on the release of 150 Palestinians currently held by Israel.
Ohad Munder, a nine-year-old child, joyfully reunited with his family, including his mother Keren Munder, 55, and grandmother Ruti Munder, 78. The Schneider Children’s Medical Centre (SCMC) captured the heartwarming moment in a video.
Roy Zichri Munder, Ohad’s brother, expressed gratitude to the people of Israel, emphasizing that the struggle continues until all hostages are released. He thanked the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) while urging hope for the return of those still held.
Despite the positive development, the truce faced challenges over aid distribution, with Hamas claiming discrepancies in the amount of aid reaching Gaza. The Israeli military asserted that aid distribution was managed by international organizations, with the UN confirming the delivery of essential supplies to northern Gaza.
The release of 50 hostages is expected to proceed in batches during the ceasefire, marking a significant step towards resolving the hostage crisis.
