First Israeli hostages released

[Twiglets1]

Hamas have released the first group of hostages this morning.

7 have been handed to the Red Cross.

Another group will be released later today.

💛 Wonderful news

"One of Tal's attackers is on the list of Palestinians to be released from prison during this deal and yet I am currently watching the BBC news and they are talking as if there is some equivalence between the hostages who have been kidnapped and tortured for two years in dank tunnels and the Palestinians. It is both disgraceful and sinister and I hope most of the viewers can see through it."

There is no equivalence. Hacking 2 women, one to death and one seriously injured is appalling and there is no justification. Like Sinwar on his release, that individual is a seriously bad person.

All 20 living hostages have now been released.

Donald Trump, congratulating his own efforts towards securing a ceasefire in Gaza, said he had made “life a lot better for a lot of people”.

Asked on Air Force One before landing in Israel whether his push for peace would help him get into heaven, he joked: “I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to get me in heaven...I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound.

“I may be in heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One, I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”

Wow all the living hostages.

When are the deceased hostages bodies being handed back?

I hope they find peace and healing. Dear god, what an ordeal.

He is indeed.

Also I feel for any women he's going to be around now. We know that men who commit acts of political violence are disproportionately likely to abuse the women around them, after all.

I'm not sure about the 28 dead hostages.

Times of Israel has reported that they will be returned "later" but also that Hamas "has told mediators it does not know where some of the bodies of slain hostages are located, which may delay their return to Israel".

Just realised two are twins. Can you imagine the state of their parents?

I've seen photos of the twins hugging this morning - they were kept separately.

They look in decent health. Their parents have been through hell but must be so incredibly happy today.

What an immense relief it must be for the hostages and their families.

As you mentioned, they look in remarkably good physical health. I hope Israel prioritises protecting them and their mental health now they are finally home as I’m sure the trauma they have experienced is immense.

Thank you @Twiglets1 for this thread.

I'm so glad they've been released and I hope they are given all the support to heal. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased now. I hope they are returned to their families soon.

It is wonderful to see them being released and I hope they get the support and privacy to start rebuilding their lives

Wonderful news. One of the hostages, Eli Sharabi, has just published a book which I read yesterday. You may remember him as the man who thought he was being released back to his family but found out that his wife, daughters and brother had been murdered after he was taken. Anyway, he reflects on how young some of his co-hostages are and how hard this made incarceration for them.

I find it very strange that while the Israeli hostages are being encouraged to tell their stories, Israel have banned all prisoners from talking to the media, have said they’re not allowed to celebrate their release and their families cannot celebrate.

very off.

Reading this breaks my heart.

@ThatLadyLady Perhaps you didn't read this post.

EsmaCannonball · Today 07:37

A few months ago I listened to an interview with an Israeli woman called Tal Hartuv. Years earlier she was working as a tour guide and was taking an American woman she had first befriended in Europe on a hike through the Israeli countryside. They were attacked by a group of Palestinian men who set out to murder the first Israelis they saw that day. The American woman was hacked to pieces while Tal was left for dead, only surviving her horrific injuries because her attacker had used a bread knife rather than a machete and its serrated edge kept getting caught on her bones.
One of Tal's attackers is on the list of Palestinians to be released from prison during this deal and yet I am currently watching the BBC news and they are talking as if there is some equivalence between the hostages who have been kidnapped and tortured for two years in dank tunnels and the Palestinians. It is both disgraceful and sinister and I hope most of the viewers can see through it.

The above post should clarify the difference between prisoners and hostages for you, hence the terms of the release agreement:

I'm so pleased the hostages have been released. Their mental health must be very poor after their captivity, but I'm relieved to see that they look as though they've been physically cared for.

The Israeli government could have resolved this month's ago.

This is excellent news, though it’s very sad only 20 remain living. Regardless of anyone’s political opinions about the Middle East, these were innocent victims who have been through an unimaginable ordeal and I’m so happy that they can now be reunited with their families.

What happened to that lady is, obviously, horrific.

There are however “prisoners” being held on no charges, who have been held for political purposes.

On precisely October 8th 2023. If they’d wanted to. So very wrong for those poor civilians and their families.

Right now on BBC news there's Palestinian prisoners celebrating their release and their families talking to the media.

Fantastic news, but can't help spare a thought for those parents who will never get to hug their children again. Be they Palestinian or Israeli xx

Only four of the dead hostages have been released by Hamas today, far fewer than agreed.

Their names are:

Bipin Joshi
Guy Illouz
Yossi Sharabi
Daniel Peretz