Hamas Releases Hostages in Exchange for Israeli Prisoners on First Day of Ceasefire

Top officials confirmed the release of some Hamas captives on Friday.

An International Red Cross vehicle reportedly carrying hostages released by Hamas crosses the Rafah border point in the Gaza Strip towards Egypt from where they would be flown to Israel to be reunited with their families, on Nov. 24, 2023. Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas on Friday released the first group of hostages as part of an agreement between the terrorist organization and Israel amid a ceasefire. In exchange, Israel released the first 39 Palestinians from its jails later in the day.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the Israeli military is currently “with the released hostages,” who underwent “an initial medical assessment inside Israeli territory.”