Israel-Hamas war updates: Ten more Israeli captives released in Gaza
The sixth exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners is under way as talks to extend truce continue.
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- Twelve Israeli captives, four Thai citizens freed in Gaza in sixth exchange since start of truce; 30 Palestinian women and children to be released from Israeli jails.
- Analysts say truce negotiations have entered a “pragmatic” phase involving various mediators and stakeholders, with Hamas signalling a willingness to extend the pause in fighting.
- Palestinian foreign minister calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza Strip, stressing “massacres cannot resume”.
- More than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll stands at 1,200.
More from Qatari Foreign Ministry on today’s release
The ministry’s spokesman Majed al-Ansari said on X that included among the captives released today are two minors and six women “of dual nationality”.
Among them are a Russian, a Mexican and a Uruguayan, all of whom hold dual citizenship with Israel.
The Israeli hostages who were released include 2 minors & 6 women of dual nationality:
⁃A Mexican
⁃A Russian
⁃An Uruguayan
They We’re handed over to the ICRC.— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) November 30, 2023
More than 3,365 Palestinians arrested since October 7, prisoners society says
The Palestinian Prisoners Society says at least 40 Palestinians have been arrested in the last 24 hours across the occupied West Bank.
Among those arrested are two women, as well as former detainees, it said. Arrests took place in the cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Tubas and Jericho.
The figures include arrests made from homes and at military checkpoints, as well as those who were forced to surrender themselves “under pressure”, it said.
This brings the total number of Palestinians who have been arrested by Israeli forces since October 7 to more than 3,365, it added.
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This live page is now closed. Follow the latest on the Israeli war on Gaza, and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on our new live page, here.
For a first-hand account of a “hurt, scared” Palestinian boy who was released from Israeli detention, read our story here.
A Nakba is unfolding in the occupied West Bank, too, writes Mariam Barghouti. Find out why she believes so in this opinion piece.
Here’s what happened today
We will soon be closing this live page. Here’s a recap of today’s key events.
- Israel’s army says 10 Israeli captives and four Thai citizens have been released in Gaza following the earlier release of two Israelis with Russian citizenship.
- Thirty Palestinian women and children are also expected to be released from Israeli jails on the sixth day of an extended truce between Israel and Hamas.
- Talks are continuing on another potential extension of the pause in fighting in Gaza, but Israel’s leaders continue to promise that the Israeli army plans to resume the war.
- World leaders address the UN Security Council, with many calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
- The Palestine Red Crescent says it delivered 21 aid trucks to areas in central and northern Gaza, some of which had not received any aid prior to the truce.
Clashes reported with Israeli forces near Ofer prison in occupied West Bank
We are receiving reports from the Palestinian Red Crescent that a young man was injured by Israeli gunfire near the Ofer military prison, west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, where clashes have been reported ahead of the release of prisoners as part of the Gaza truce deal.
Family, friends of Palestinian detainees still waiting after unexpected delay in release
At the moment, we are still waiting here with many family and friends of the detainees.
There seems to have been some delay because of confrontations between Israeli security forces and some Palestinians in Beitunia, where Ofer Prison is located.
So what we know at this stage is that the International Red Cross has arrived at the prison and that all those who are to be released have been there for several hours.
The detainees who are set to be released have probably been going through a practice, which some of those who have been released told us about, which is basically a sort of an interview with intelligence officers, army officers, inside the prison.
During this process, detainees are given guidelines, or threats, as the Palestinians call them, not to speak to the media, not to celebrate their freedom, not to post anything on social media. They are presumably given stern warnings that they could be detained again if any of these happens.
Israeli war cabinet meeting on possible extension of truce deal
When it comes to a further extension of the [truce] deal, that we are already in day six of, the Israelis have not confirmed anything.
But Israeli media is reporting that the war cabinet is meeting to discuss a possible extension.
So we are waiting for more news on a possible extension of that ceasefire.
With US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival in Israel, some are hoping it will sway the Israelis to go in that direction so the resumption of fighting does not continue tomorrow.
Palestinian released from Israeli prison recounts abuse and humiliation
Mohammad Salhab Tamimi, 18, was released from Israeli prison on Tuesday as part of the Gaza truce deal.
After being held for eight months without charges, he was finally able to see his family. But what he endured will stay with him for a long time.
He described abuse during his transfer to Ofer Prison ahead of his release. “The officer then kicked me, hard. His boots have steel in them, so it felt like he crushed my feet, it really hurt,” Tamimi told Al Jazeera.
Read our full story about his ordeal here.
WATCH: South Africans demand permanent Gaza ceasefire during pro-Palestine march
On the UN’s day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, marches took place across the globe calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
But this day has a special resonance with South Africans, given their own recent history of living under apartheid.
They say that Palestinians are going through exactly what people of colour in South Africa went through for decades.
Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller has more from Johannesburg.
‘She’s starving in prison,’ relative says of 65-year-old Palestinian woman expected to be freed
Suheila Barghouti, a 65-year-old Palestinian woman who was arrested after the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, is among the Palestinian detainees expected to be released tonight.
Her sister-in-law, Eman Nafa, told Al Jazeera that Barghouti was arrested alongside several members of her family.
“They arrested many of her family members. They brought them in the middle of the night and ordered them on the ground. They covered their eyes and started hitting them,” said Nafa, who is the wife of the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner, Nael Barghouti.
One of Suheila Barghouti’s sons is also in prison, and she has been constantly worried that other family members would be harassed, if not arrested, if she talks about her mistreatment in prison in public, Nafa said.
“She’s starving in prison, and they don’t even have electricity in her room, and they took her clothes. Today we expect her to be released.”
WATCH: Red Crescent helps mother, daughter evacuate towards southern Gaza
The Palestine Red Crescent has shared a video showing its team helping a mother and her daughter flee towards the south of the enclave on Monday.
Watch below.
🌟 Brave @PalestineRCS heroes to help. Guiding a tired mom and her little girl 👧fleeing to South #Gaza, our teams stepped in. With warmth from a cozy blanket, we turned tears into smiles, ensuring their journey continued comfortably by carriage. ❤️#HumantarianHeros #Humanity pic.twitter.com/BqXvdbWu3Y
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) November 29, 2023
Biden confirms US citizen released from Gaza
Speaking to reporters moments ago, the US president said Liat Beinin Atzili – a dual US-Israeli citizen – was among those freed from Gaza.
“Liat Beinin is safe in Egypt, she’s crossed the border,” Biden said. “I talked with her mother and father and they’re very appreciative, and things are moving well. She’ll soon be home with her three children.”
Washington said earlier this week that it believed eight to nine Americans were being held in Gaza.
US secretary of state lands in Israel
Antony Blinken has just arrived in Tel Aviv, marking his third trip to the Middle East since October 7.
He will meet with Israeli leaders to discuss further exchanges between Hamas and Israel, as well as how to increase the humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Blinken will also visit the occupied West Bank and the UAE during this trip, the US State Department said.
Ahed Tamimi among those expected to be released tonight
The most prominent name probably among [the Palestinians set to be released] is that of 22-year-old Ahed Tamimi. She’s from a village [called] Nabi Saleh.
When she was only 16, she was detained for eight months, because the Israeli soldiers had seen a video of her, which had gone viral, slapping an Israeli soldier.
She spent eight months in Israeli jail as a result. Her case drew international attention to the detention of Palestinian minors, having them tried in military courts.
Ahed was arrested anew from her home [this month]. Her father has been arrested, as well, while making his way to the occupied West Bank from Jordan.
We are talking of someone who is very young, who is only 22 years old and has already been detained twice.
Dutch PM thanks Qatar, Egypt, US for aiding in release of countryman from Gaza
“I’m delighted and relieved that Ofir Engel has been released by Hamas,” Mark Rutte said on X.
Earlier, we reported that an Israeli-Dutch dual citizen was released as part of the sixth exchange between Israel and Hamas.
“I’d like to thank Qatar, Egypt and the US for the crucial role they have played. It is vital that all hostages be released as soon as possible,” Rutte said.
‘Frustration’ in Gaza as end of truce nears
As the end of the six-day pause in fighting in Gaza fast approaches without a truce extension announcement, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum says Palestinians in the enclave fear a resumption of Israeli attacks.
“The resumption of fighting for Palestinians means that there’s going to be no humanitarian aid that will be allowed into the Gaza Strip. It also means there are going to be more casualties and victims alongside mass destruction of civil infrastructure and civilian homes,” Abu Azzoum reported from Khan Younis.
Though Palestinians have “used all the days of the truce between Hamas and Israel to gather much-needed supplies in case it is not extended”, residents are angry that no apparent progress has been made.
“We might wake up tomorrow to the sounds of fire exchange or the sounds of Israeli bombing,” Abu Azzoum said.
“The Palestinians have a glimmer of hope that at the last moment, an [agreement to extend the truce] will be reached, but until this very moment there is frustration among them due to the absence of any announcement.”
Israeli and Thai captives in Egypt en route to Israel, army says
The Israeli military said its forces would meet the group at the Kerem Shalom (Karem Abu Salem) crossing.
The Red Cross also confirmed it had facilitated the release of 16 captives today.
“Our teams have transferred them and handed them over to the Israeli authorities,” it said.
We’re glad to inform that 16 people who were being held hostage in Gaza have just been released, with facilitation from the ICRC.
Our teams have transferred them and handed them over to the Israeli authorities.
This is possible thanks to our neutral intermediary role.
— ICRC in Israel & OT (@ICRC_ilot) November 29, 2023
‘Crackdown’ in occupied East Jerusalem ahead of Palestinian prisoners’ release
Reporting from the Wadi al-Joz neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Jamjoom says at least eight of the Palestinian prisoners set to be freed tonight reside in the city.
Jamjoom said Israeli police continue to apply pressure on Palestinian families to try to prevent them from celebrating their loved ones’ release.
“What we’re told is there’s even more of a crackdown this evening … compared to the last few nights,” he reported.
As we’ve been reporting this week, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had issued an order warning against any celebrations – either indoors or outdoors – upon the release of Palestinian prisoners in areas under his jurisdiction.
“The families that we’ve spoken with this evening, they are extremely afraid about the prospect of letting journalists into their homes,” Jamjoom said.
“Journalists have not been allowed to enter any of the premises in occupied East Jerusalem. The families have been told repeatedly by security forces that they are not to allow journalists into those households.”
Netanyahu tells Biden Israeli public won’t accept end to war on Gaza: Report
The conversation came during a phone call on Sunday, Axios reported, based on interviews with US officials.
Biden reportedly told Netanyahu that the manner of Israel’s assault on northern Gaza – effectively decimating vast swathes of residential areas – could not be repeated in southern Gaza, where much of the population of northern Gaza has fled.
However, Netanyahu responded by saying that an attack on southern Gaza was necessary to “achieve Israel’s goal of destroying Hamas”.
While the White House and the Israeli PM’s Office have not commented on the call, the US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday that the Biden administration “does not support southern operations unless or until the Israelis can show that they have accounted for all the internally displaced people of Gaza”.
There is growing regional and international pressure on Israel to agree to an extended ceasefire with Hamas, amid the huge loss of life in Gaza since October 7 as a result of Israeli bombing.
Israeli president travelling to UN climate conference in UAE, will hold talks on captive release
Isaac Herzog’s office said the Israeli president will “hold a series of diplomatic meetings on the importance of releasing the hostages” in Gaza during his trip to the COP28 in the United Arab Emirates.
Herzog will fly to the UAE on Thursday, his office said in a statement.
The Israeli leader will “highlight and stress to world leaders” what Hamas did in its October 7 attacks on southern Israel, and “emphasise the fundamental security threat faced by Israel and the country’s duty to undertake military action to defend its people”, among other things.
The statement did not say which world leaders Herzog plans to speak to.
More from Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman on released captives
Five minors and five women were released from Gaza tonight, al-Ansari said.
Among those released with dual nationality are:
- a Dutch minor
- three Germans
- one American
Israeli hostages released from Gaza include 5 minors & 5 women, those of dual nationality within the group are:
– A Dutch minor
– 3 Germans
– 1 American— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) November 29, 2023
Qatari Foreign Ministry confirms sixth exchange between Israel and Hamas
Spokesman Majed al-Ansari said in a post on X that 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for 10 captives in Gaza.
The release of two Russians and four Thai nationals from Gaza today, he added, is taking place “outside the framework of the agreement”.
All the captives were handed over to the Red Cross, he said.
In accordance with the terms of the 6th day of the humanitarian pause agreement, 30 Palestinians, will be released today in exchange for the release of 10 hostages in Gaza. In addition, to 2 Russian citizens & 4 Thai citizens outside the framework of the agreement were handed…
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) November 29, 2023
10 Israeli captives, four Thai citizens on way to Israel: Army
The Israeli military said it received the information of the transfer from the Red Cross.
Palestine Red Crescent says 21 trucks delivered to Gaza City, northern areas
The agency said its teams “successfully distributed 254 aid trucks” since the truce came into effect six days ago.
The PRCS also said it provided crucial essentials, such as “food, water, baby formula, and blankets to thousands in need”.
It earlier outlined the difficulties involved in receiving and distributing aid trucks, especially to Gaza’s north, via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Today PRCS teams delivered 21 trucks 🚚 filled with aid into #Gaza City and the northern areas. 📍Since the truce began, they’ve successfully distributed 254 aid trucks, providing crucial essentials like food, water, baby formula, and blankets to thousands in need.
🫶 PRCS is… pic.twitter.com/Rxs1qIoZML— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) November 29, 2023
‘I’m extremely worried,’ Gaza aid worker says of prospect fighting will resume
Medical Aid for Palestinians has shared testimonials from some of its aid workers in the Gaza Strip, where residents are hoping for an extension of the truce.
“I lost my son,” one worker named Nawraz said. “I’m checking if anyone knows if my house is still standing – I want to go back and collect anything that reminds me of the son I lost.”
Another MAP aid worker, Tarneem, described clearing the rubble of their sister’s home during the first day of the pause in fighting last week.
“The next two [days], I queued for cooking gas. Now I’m counting down the hours until the bombing restarts. I’m extremely worried,” Tarneem said.
Our team in #Gaza share their feelings and fears during this temporary truce. 🧵👇
“I lost my son. I’m checking if anyone knows if my house is still standing – I want to go back and collect anything that reminds me of him.” – Nawraz. pic.twitter.com/OBmr24qj1O
— Medical Aid for Palestinians (@MedicalAidPal) November 29, 2023