Hamas releases the first 13 Israeli hostages

Thirteen Israeli hostages have reportedly been released and are now with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Egypt.

The Times of Israel reports that the 13 hostages, women and children, are the first of four expected releases.

According to CNN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the hostages’ release.

In addition, Hamas has released 10 Thai hostages and one Filipino hostage, according to CNN. 

According to the Times the hostages have been identified as: Hannah Katzir, 77; Margalit Mozes, 77; Yafa Adar, 85; Hannah Perry, 79; Adina Moshe, 72; Danielle Aloni, 44; Emilia Aloni, 9; Ruthi Monder, 78; Keren Monder, 54; Ohad Monder, 9; Aviv Asher, 2; Raz Asher, 5; and Doron Katz-Asher, 34.

Hamas has agreed to release 50 hostages over the course of four days, in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The 13 hostages released Friday are only a small number of the approximately 240 held by Gaza, the Times reported, since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, in which 1,200 people in southern Israel were killed.