Welcome back to MEZIESBLOG’s coverage of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
More Israeli hostages are due to be released today, on the third day of a four-day truce.
Further Palestinian prisoners are expected to be freed in return.
It is clearly a fluid situation, however.
Yesterday afternoon, Hamas said it was delaying the second release of Israeli hostages, claiming Israel had not kept to its side of the bargain. Israel said it was sticking to the truce agreement.
Eventually, Qatar’s foreign ministry said the releases would go ahead.
Here is a recap of the key events from the past 24 hours:
- Thirteen Israeli hostages and four Thai nationals were released from Gaza last night, the Israeli military said;
- Irish-Israeli hostage Emily Hand, nine, was among those set free, her family saying “we can’t find the words to describe our emotions”;
- Palestinian prisoners released from an Israeli prison have arrived in Jerusalem, according to WAFA, a Palestinian news agency – 39 were due to be freed, Qatar had earlier said;
- In London, missiles were thrown at 20 police officers near Trafalgar Square during pro-Palestinian protests, a Sky News correspondent witnessed;
- Scotland Yard said it was operating in a “challenging environment”.
Thailand’s prime minister says four Thai nationals among hostages released by Hamas
Four Thai nationals were freed in the second round of hostage released from Gaza, according to its prime minister.
A total of 17 people were released by Hamas last night – four of them Thai nationals, along with 13 Israelis.
“Everybody is safe, on the whole in good mental health and are able to speak normally,” Srettha Thavisin said on X.
“They want a shower and to contact their relatives.”
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