Hostages

[TakeMe2Insanity]

This is running on Al Jazeera and others - apparently Israel refused to take back two hostages.

https://english.alarabiya.net/amp/News/middle-east/2023/10/21/Hamas-says-intended-to-release-two-hostages-but-Israel-refused-to-receive-them

Scrollingleaves

Thank you for that.

@StarbucksSmarterSister guardian just reported this
Biden 'fingers crossed' that three-year-old American hostage will be releasedJoe Biden has said he has his “fingers crossed” that a three-year-old Israeli-American girl taken hostage on 7 October will be released on Friday.

Is that the same child as Abigail?

Oh ok that sounds more hopeful. Yes I think her dad was American. Let's hope so.

Cameron on the news just mentioned that some of the hostages are British. I remember hearing that at the beginning but nothing's been said since. Does anybody know which hostages are meant to be British Israelis? I'm assuming none of them are children or we would know their names.

@StarbucksSmarterSister I hope so too but I read awhile ago that Israeli officials were going to inform the families of the hostages being released today
So I think the family member is more likely to be correct
As Biden said he just hoped
To be honest if she is not being released today then it seems irresponsible of him to make comments like that as it holds more weight coming from the president of the US.
But in this instance I hope I am wrong

If Hamas is only releasing some famly members and even a baby of 10 months who may be breastfed without its mother - this just sums up the criminals Hamas are.

It looks like 13 will be released tomorrow. It is a very difficult issue as as soon as you give in to terrorists even more kidnappings happen.

@Xenia it's bad enough that someone had the forethought after murdering a 3 year olds parents to take her hostage but then to continue to hold her?
And that goes for all the babies and very young children. People wail on here about being on the 'right side of history' but only truly sick people do that.
They are not with their families in these terrible hours. In war. No comfort. Despicable.

@Parkingt111 Hersh's mum on cnn.... so brave. www.instagram.com/reel/Cz_7hl-tm6U/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Do you not have the same sympathy for the Palestinians held hostage by Israel including many children? Where is the outrage about their detainment?

That seems very odd.
The are obvious candidates for early release surely.
All children should come first.
It makes me wonder if they have died.

@Stomacharmeleon incredibly brave
I hope he makes it back home again.

@Parker231 I answered that question on the other thread.

This is from a reporter in Israel. Thought it might be of interest to some on here.

I hope they all come home soon 😔

Hamas to release 23 Thai hostages unconditionally after Iran-mediated talks

wow
Good news!!

The subsoil of Gaza is sandstone, so that makes sense.

Oh such good news. So does that include Nutthawaree Munkan, who is said to have given birth in captivity, or will she come out with the other hostages I wonder?

Article says the deal is separate and 'not related to the hostage deal' - there's not much detail other than that

Guardian

@Efacsen I saw this and also one place saying because Iran requested it. What's the link with Iran and Thailand do you know?

@Parkingt111
There's no particular link btwn Iran and Thailand as far as I know - Thai gov got fed up w faffing going on in Qatar negotiations so sent a minister to talk to Hamas directly in Iran

@Efacsen ahh ok thank you

Hope this hostage release goes well- only an hour to go. Really feel for the families whose loved ones not on the list of people to be released.

Four day truce has started

There was massive strikes just before it started though not only in the North but the south too. I have also read that during this four day Israel has banned anyone from the North going back to the south. Not even to check on their houses or get more belongings etc

Prior to the ceasefire Israel repeatedly bombed the south of Gaza despite telling Palestinians to flee there.

Ceasefire holding so far

The first aid trucks and tankers seen entering Gaza - they've been queuing all night

And convoy of Israeli tanks and APC leaving Gaza - surprising given no withdrawal was the message yesterday