More hostages, prisoners to be freed as fragile truce holds

Seven weeks in captivity have ended for 24 hostages abducted last month after a delicate exchange that marked the first stage of a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas.

Thirteen Israeli mothers and children were freed yesterday, along with 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino, in exchange for 39 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons – 24 women, including some convicted of attempted murder for attacks on Israeli forces, and 15 teenagers jailed for offences such as throwing stones.

More are expected to be released overnight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it had received a new list of names.

The Qatar-brokered deal had stipulated 50 Israeli hostages would be swapped for 150 jailed Palestinians. It is understood foreign hostages were not included in that count.

As the skies above Gaza appeared calm indicating the truce was holding, Netanyahu’s office said it had notified the families whose loved ones were set for release.

Hamas abducted an estimated 240 hostages during its attack on Israel on October 7.

A convoy of ambulances transporting the 24 hostages drove out of Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah crossing. The Israelis were taken to medical facilities in Israel before being reunited with their families.

A statement from Schneider Children’s Medical Centre, where four women and four children were examined, said they were in good physical condition.

The International Red Cross said the released hostages were accompanied to the crossing by eight staff members in a four-car convoy.

‘‘The deep pain that family members separated from their loved ones feel is indescribable. We are relieved that some will be reunited after long agony,’’ said Fabrizio Carboni, International Red Cross regional director for the Near and Middle East.

The Thai nationals released were among at least 22 Thai hostages taken by Hamas. Some 32 of their fellow farmworkers were killed in the attack. Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said he was ‘‘overjoyed’’ at the news of the released workers.

With the temporary ceasefire deal comes increased shipments of fuel and supplies into Gaza – though still only enough to dent the needs of the 2.3 million Palestinians who have endured weeks of Israeli bombardment, according to aid groups.

Israel has agreed to allow the delivery of 130,000 litres of fuel a day into the enclave for humanitarian needs for the duration of the truce.

The swap marked a breakthrough after weeks of painstaking diplomatic negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt.

Under the truce, at least 50 women and children held captive in the Gaza Strip are expected to be released over four days, in return for a pause in fighting and the release of 150 Palestinian women and minors imprisoned in Israeli jails.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he welcomed the developments, adding that it was important all countries continued working towards ‘‘a sustainable ceasefire and a long-term, enduring peace’’.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated her call for all hostages to be released.

“This is important progress. But, ultimately, we must work towards a just and enduring peace,’’ Wong said.

‘‘Australia is working with countries that have influence in the region towards this goal, and to help protect civilians and prevent the conflict from spreading.’’

Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said the Palestinian community welcomed the release of hostages and prisoners.

‘‘There’ll be enormous relief among those Palestinian families and communities who can finally welcome home the 150 Palestinian women and children who are to be released from Israeli prisons as part of the truce deal,’’ he said.

He urged Israel to release the 2000 or so Palestinians held in administrative detention without charge, and for Israel to guarantee that those released would not be re-arrested.

“Two million people have been under siege in Gaza for 16 years, and Israel is now pushing them from their homes into the south of the enclave, with no guarantee of safety, no way to escape the violence, shortages of food, water and medical care, and winter fast approaching,” he said.

“We should all feel outraged by the Israeli government’s announcement that it will continue to bomb Gaza following this brief truce, and the international community must demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire. This ceasefire must bring an end to Israel’s war crimes and its siege on Gaza, and also end its violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.”

The joint head of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry expressed mixed emotions as the Israeli hostages were returned to their families.

Co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said while he was relieved, he remained concerned for those still believed to be held in Gaza.

“We feel relief and gratitude that some of the most vulnerable hostages, including babies and the elderly, are now free, away from the hell of Hamas captivity,” he said. “But it is difficult to feel joy knowing that some of the hostages are orphaned or the last surviving members of their families … and that some 190 hostages will remain in Hamas hands.”

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far, according to the Hamas health ministry. About 1200 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority during Hamas’ initial attack on Israel on October 7.