Shruti Suman
Israel has confirmed the release of 14 hostages, comprising 10 Israelis and four Thai nationals. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) made the official announcement on Monday after the Gaza truce was extended by two days. The release, facilitated by the Red Cross, occurred as part of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas. Hamas, in turn, acknowledged the release of the same 14 hostages. The transfer took place from the Gaza Strip to Egypt through the Rafah crossing.
Notably, Hamas had previously released Yelena Trupanov and her mother, Irena Tati, who held dual Russian-Israeli citizenship, as a gesture towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. This act was unrelated to the truce deal with Israel. Upon their return to Israel, the mother and daughter were taken to Sheba Medical Centre.
The 10 Israelis released were identified namely as Liat Atzili, Raz Ben Ami, Yarden Roman, Moran Stela Yanai, Liam Or, Amit Shani, Gali Tarshansky, Itay Regev, Ofir Engel, Gali Tarshansky, and Raaya Rotem. The hostages will undergo identity verification by Israeli forces at a designated meeting point before being escorted into Israel via a side gate at the Kerem Shalom crossing.
