2nd Group of Hostages Released After Tense Delay by Hamas

The Hamas terror group has released a second batch of hostages, as Israel confirms releasing over 30 Palestinian detainees.

Hostages are transported in International Committee of the Red Cross vehicles from the Gaza Strip through the Rafah land crossing in Rafah, Gaza, on Nov. 25, 2023. Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Israel has confirmed that over a dozen hostages have been released by Hamas as part of a second batch of freed abductees, after an earlier delay by the terror group sparked fears that the hostages-for-prisoners swap deal might fall apart.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement Saturday that representatives from the Red Cross had just handed over 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis and 4 Thai abductees, and that the individuals are now on Israeli soil waiting to be reunited with loved ones.