Israel-Hamas updates: Hamas hands over 13 Israeli captives to Red Cross
Qatar confirms release of 13 Israeli hostages and four foreigners; Israel now expected to free 39 Palestinian prisoners.
- Israeli prison authorities say a second batch of 39 Palestinians have been released after 13 Israeli hostages and four foreigners were released by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.
- The transfer on the second day of four-day truce was delayed for hours over Hamas allegations that Israel was violating truce deal.
- Israeli prison authorities say a second batch of 39 Palestinians have been released after 13 Israeli hostages and four foreigners were released by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.
- The transfer on the second day of four-day truce was delayed for hours over Hamas allegations that Israel was violating truce deal.
- Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians use the short pause in fighting to return to their homes, only to find utter destruction.
- More than 14,800 Palestinians, including 6,150 children, have been killed in Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas’s attack stands at 1,200.
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“As genocide rages, doctors must choose: care or collaborationism”, write Eric Reinhart and Bram Wispelwey. Read their thoughts in this opinion piece.
Here’s what happened today
We will soon be closing this live page. Here’s a recap of Saturday’s key events:
- The Israeli army says 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals have arrived in Israel – the second group of captives released by Hamas in Gaza as part of a four-day truce agreement.
- The transfer was delayed for hours over Hamas’s claims that Israel was violating the truce deal, including not allowing the flow of aid into northern Gaza.
- Hamas released a list of names of the second round of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released on Saturday night, which includes the names of six women and 33 male children.
- Displaced Palestinians used the short pause in fighting to return to their homes, only to find utter destruction.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says the number of journalists and media workers killed between October 7 and November 25 stands at 57.
- Iran said it helped broker the release of Thai nationals held in Gaza.
- Israeli forces have killed 21-year-old Ammar Abu al-Wafa and 17-year-old Ahmad Abu al-Heija in Jenin in the occupied West Bank.
- The UN said 221 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and illegal settlers in the West Bank since October 7, including 56 children.
- Thousands protested in Israel to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the release of all captives held by Hamas in Gaza.
- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said one of its patrols was hit by Israeli gunfire in the vicinity of Aytaroun in southern Lebanon.
PRCS says ambulance ‘targeted’ near Ofer Prison
The Palestinian Red Crescent says one of its ambulances in the occupied West Bank was “targeted” near Ofer Prison.
The attack “resulted in the rear window shattering, and our team is safe”, the PCRS said in a post on X.
Dozens of Palestinians gathered outside the vicinity of Ofer awaiting the imminent release of the second round of Palestinian prisoners.
🚨🚑 Targeting a PRCS ambulance in the Ofer area near ramallah resulted in the rear window shattering, and our team is safe.#WestBank #NotATarget #IHL pic.twitter.com/YRXRNFtjUg
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) November 25, 2023
Six women, seven minors among Israeli hostages: PM’s office
The Israeli government has said six adult women and seven children and teenagers have been released by Hamas.
The hostages were released after spending 50 days in captivity, a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office said.
The Israeli military said the hostages have returned to Israeli territory.
Israeli army says captives with Red Cross now in Egypt
Army spokesman Hagari says 13 Israeli captives and four Thai nationals are with the Red Cross and on their way to the border crossing known as Kerem Shalom, or Karam Abu Salem.
The convoy “returning to Israel” is making its way through Egyptian territory, he said.
Qatar says 13 Israeli captives, four foreigners handed over to Red Cross
Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says in a post on X that 13 Israelis and four foreign nationals have been handed over to the Red Cross.
Al Ansari said they were on their way to the Rafah border crossing.
Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, said the Israeli military confirmed “just moments ago” that Hamas handed over the captives to the Red Cross.
“They will then be handed over to the Israeli military. They will be taken to an airbase in southern Israel for an initial check, where they will then be flown to several different hospitals throughout the Tel Aviv area for additional medical and psychological checks,” she added.
Hamas says handed over 20 captives to the ICRC
Hamas’s armed wing says it handed over 13 Israeli captives and seven foreign nationals to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The ICRC is expected to take them through the Rafah border crossing between southern Gaza and Egypt before travelling to Israel.
PRCS ‘expresses deep concern’ for detained paramedic
The Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) says the whereabouts of Awni Khattab, the head of the Khan Younis Medical Centre, are “now unknown”.
Israeli forces arrested Khattab on Thursday, along with three paramedics and a companion of a wounded person who were later released.
They were involved in the evacuation of wounded and sick people from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City – which remains occupied by Israeli forces – to the enclave’s south.
“PRCS demand his immediate release along with other medical teams that are under arrest,” it said.
🚨PRCS expresses deep concern for Awni Khattab, Head of Khan Younis Medical Center in #Gaza. Arrested by Israeli forces during the wounded convoy from Al-Shifa Hospital, his whereabouts are now unknown.
📢PRCS demand his immediate release along with other medical teams that are… pic.twitter.com/IJrfadZHzi
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) November 25, 2023
‘We are happy but our happiness is not complete’
Ammar Khalid Massarweh, whose grandson was taken seven months ago after he was injured by Israeli soldiers, says Palestinians had to pay a very high price for the release of their compatriots.
“It was paid with the blood of our people in Gaza,” said Massarweh, an ambulance driver. “This is an incomplete joy that we are feeling right now.”
“I hope that all the prisons will be empty and all our sons will be freed,” he told Al Jazeera.
INSIDE STORY: Is a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine still possible?
Is now really the best time to restart discussions about the elusive two-state solution for Israel and Palestine?
International calls have begun to grow louder to pursue this. But what are the red lines for both sides and what would a return to the 1967 borders look like in reality?
Watch Saturday’s episode of Inside Story here:
Israeli military says captive-release effort under way
Work on releasing a second group of Israeli and foreign captives from Gaza is going ahead, says Israel’s military spokesman Daniel Hagari.
He also said the Israeli government is committed to complying with the truce agreement with Hamas but there were many parties and factors involved. “And every day brings with it its complexities,” he said.
Hagari also said:
- There has been remarkable progress in efforts to release the captives
- We will not report any details of the exchange until the captives are released
- We are speaking to those who were released yesterday [Friday] but will not reveal what we have learned
‘I’ll be happy to see him, hug him’: Palestinian awaiting grandson’s release
Fawzi Sawalmeh is eager to see his grandson Mohammed, who is among the second round of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released later on Saturday night.
The 87-year-old, standing outside Ofer prison in Beitunia in the occupied West Bank, said he was “very happy” to see Mohammed’s name included in the list released by Hamas a short while ago.
“It was very good news. We were all happy – myself, his mother, his siblings – and we wanted to come here and wait for him and welcome him,” Sawalmeh told Al Jazeera. “I’ll be so happy to see him and hug him.”
Israeli forces arrested Mohammed seven months ago when he was “at a convenience store trying to buy a few things”, Sawalmeh said.
He said his grandson was placed in administrative detention – meaning he was held without charge or trial. He was then sentenced in an administrative court.
Qatar’s Emir receives call from Biden over Israel-Hamas truce deal
The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has received a phone call from US President Joe Biden over the developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, says a statement by the Emiri Diwan.
The two leaders focused on the implementation of the humanitarian truce agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the joint international efforts to de-escalate tensions, protect civilian lives, and increase the flow of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza, the statement said.
Qatar, along with Egypt, led efforts to ensure the continuation of the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel that began on Friday.
Qatar expresses ‘appreciation’ for mediating partners
Qatar has reiterated its appreciation for the efforts of its “mediation partners” in resolving hours-long deadlock over the exchange of hostages between Hamas and Israel.
In a post on X, Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed “appreciation” for Egypt and the United States, whose efforts helped “remove obstacles” to implement the terms of the truce agreement for Saturday.
57 journalists, media workers killed since October 7: CPJ
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says the number of journalists and media workers killed between October 7 and November 25 stood at 57.
Here’s a breakdown of that death toll:
- 50 Palestinians
- Four Israelis
- Three Lebanese
The watchdog added that at least 11 journalists were injured, three are missing and 19 arrested.
UPDATE: as of November 25, 57 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 50 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese. And 19 journalists were reported arrested. https://t.co/lNtZEQfEOX
— CPJ MENA (@CPJMENA) November 25, 2023
Hamas releases list of second round of Palestinian prisoners to be freed
Hamas has released the long-awaited list of the second round of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released later on Saturday night.
The list includes the names of six women and 33 male children, Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed in a post on X.
Among the Israeli captives set to be released from Gaza as part of the truce deal are eight children, five women, and seven foreign nationals, he added.
Israeli army ‘absolutely vicious’ since October 7: Palestinian official
Mustafa Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, says since October 7, the Israeli army has become “absolutely vicious”.
“They’ve always been horrible, but they’ve become much more aggressive than anytime before,” Barghouti said, commenting on the latest string of Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
“It looks like … every Israeli soldier, every Israeli illegal settler, and every Israeli policeman thinks that they have a green light to kill and shoot, and at least harass Palestinians,” Barghouti told Al Jazeera.
“We’ve been receiving reports about very serious injuries and very serious attacks by the settlers on Palestinian communities,” he said.
When asked about the delay in the release of captives and Palestinian prisoners, Barghouti said, “Israelis always play these games. Even when you conclude an agreement with them, they try to play games to violate it and, and change it in the way they want.”
Iran says it helped broker release of Thai nationals
Tehran says “the issue of Thai prisoners was jointly pursued by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar”.
“A list of names of these prisoners was given to Hamas officials to review and assist with the issue from a humanitarian perspective,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani told the official IRNA news agency.
The Thai foreign ministry confirmed the release on Saturday, saying the 10 individuals – nine men and one woman – were taken to Israel via Egypt.
It added that roughly 20 Thais are among the estimated 215 people still held hostage in Gaza.
Exchange deal to resume, Qatar says
Qatar says 39 Palestinians and 13 Israeli captives will be released in addition to seven foreigners after Hamas delayed the handover, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the truce agreement.
Spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says “the obstacles were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian” mediation and the exchange is likely to happen on Saturday night.
بعد تأخر في تنفيذ الإفراج عن الأسرى من الجانبين، تم تذليل العقبات عبر الاتصالات القطرية المصرية مع الجانبين وسيتم الإفراج الليلة عن ٣٩ من المدنيين الفلسطينيين في مقابل خروج ١٣ من المحتجزين الإسرائيليين من غزة بالإضافة إلى ٧ من الأجانب خارج إطار الاتفاق.
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) November 25, 2023
Israeli forces kill two Palestinians in Jenin
Israeli forces have killed Ammar Abu al-Wafa, 21, and 17-year-old Ahmad Abu al-Heija in Jenin in occupied West Bank, Dr Fawaz Hamad, head of al-Razi Hospital, told Al Jazeera.
Hamad said at least four other Palestinians were injured, one of them critically.
Abu al-Heija succumbed to his wounds after he was shot by a live round to the head, Hamad said.
“Al-Razi is currently the only hospital the injured can be evacuated to in all of Jenin because the four other hospitals are surrounded by the Israeli military, which is disrupting the movement of ambulances,” Hamad told Al Jazeera.
‘Time limit’ for Israel, Hamas to resolve delay in captives’ release: Analyst
Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara says there seems to be “a certain time limit for resolving this problem”, referring to the delay in the release of the captives and Palestinian prisoners.
Israel said if this problem is not resolved “they’re going to resume fighting”, Bishara said. Meanwhile, Hamas is clearly “trying to squeeze as much as it can out of this opportunity,” he said.
The “dynamic” in which Hamas is handling this, Bishara said, is one that indicates that there is a “display of public relations”.
“Hamas is trying to reach a parity with Israel … Creating that parity and demanding fairness … gives them that kind of platform that they really want to underline that they’re a legitimate party, legitimate leaders of the Palestinian people,” he said.
LISTEN: Is a two-state solution still possible for Palestine and Israel?
As a four-day truce takes hold in Gaza, talks of a two-state solution are once again re-emerging among the international community.
But given the level of violence in the past seven weeks across the occupied territories, is now the time to pursue this path for a lasting peace?
And what would it take from both sides to secure it?
Listen to the latest episode of The Inside Story Podcast here and below:
Qatar in talks with parties to resolve delay in release of captives
Qatar is in talks with Israel and Hamas to resolve the delay in captive releases “as soon as possible”, reports the Reuters news agency, quoting an official briefed on the situation.
Hamas has delayed the release of the second round of captives, accusing Israel of violating the truce deal.
Israeli media reports say the military will resume bombardment of Gaza if Hamas does not release the captives by midnight Israel time (21:00 GMT).
In response, a Hamas spokesman has called Israel’s threats “empty”, adding it “will not succeed in liberating its prisoners by force”.
Hamas calls Israeli threats to resume war by midnight ’empty’
Osama Hamdan, Beirut-based member of Hamas’s political bureau, says Israel’s “empty threats will not change our position”.
“We reiterate our commitment to implement and ensure the success of the truce agreement that was reached through Qatari and Egyptian mediation,” Hamdan said in a news conference.
“The agreement on a humanitarian truce and the exchange of captives and prisoners would not have been achieved if it were not for the steadfastness of our people,” he said.
“The occupation will not succeed in liberating its prisoners by force.”
He also said:
- Our people’s return to their homes in the north have voided all plans to displace Palestinians in Gaza.
- We call for the states to boost their support and aid, and to send more field hospitals to Gaza.
- We call for pressure to be exercised on Israel to release all medical staff, especially Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiyah, director of al-Shifa Hospital.
Israeli drones dropping tear gas on us: AJ correspondent
Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim, reporting from the occupied West Bank, says Israeli drones have dropped tear gas on the Palestinians gathered outside the Ofer prison in Beitunia.
“The numbers of Palestinians who have made it here today is much less than the ones who made it yesterday [Friday] … because we do not have a list of names of the Palestinian prisoners who are going to be released,” she said, standing near the crowd awaiting the release of the second round of Palestinian prisoners.
“We do not know whether they’re going to be released from here,” she said, standing near Ofer Prison. “We’ve been seeing confrontations between Palestinians and the Israeli forces stationed [nearby].”
Ibrahim was visibly uncomfortable, coughing and tearing up as a result of the inhalation of the tear gas.