A group of hostages is recovering after being freed by Hamas as a temporary truce took effect, bringing a halt to fighting after weeks of conflict.
So far 41 hostages have been released in the first two days of the truce. Thirteen Israeli civilians were freed along with 11 foreign nationals in the initial exchange on Friday, followed by another 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals on Saturday.
Their release has sparked tearful reunions with families following a painstakingly negotiated arrangement between the warring sides with the help of foreign mediation.
So far 78 Palestinians have been released from prison under the deal, primarily women and minors, many of them detained but not charged.
Here’s what you need to know about those released so far:
Israeli hostages – Friday
All but one of those freed on Friday were abducted from the Nir Oz kibbutz, which was devastated during the October 7 attacks. More than a quarter of the community was killed or remains missing.
Yafa Adar, 85
Adar is a founder of Nir Oz and was the oldest person to be taken hostage. A video of her being taken into Gaza on a golf cart driven by Hamas militants went viral shortly after her abduction. “Her eldest grandson, Tamir Adar, a 38-year-old father-of-two, was also abducted, and is still held hostage,” a Nir Oz spokesperson said.
Margalit Moses, 77
The mother-of-three and grandmother of 10 is a retired biology teacher. She is also a cancer survivor who has diabetes, “fibromyalgia, and takes many additional medications,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel. The nature lover planned on traveling to Mozambique this winter.
Hana Katzir, 76
She is also a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz and the wife of the late Rami Katzir, 79, who was killed in their home. “A mother of three and grandmother of six. Her son Elad, 47 years old, was also kidnapped and is still in Gaza,” said Nir Oz’s spokesperson.
Katzir had been feared dead before she was spotted in the back seat of a Red Cross vehicle heading into Egypt on Friday.
Adina Moshe, 72
The retired educator and Nir Oz resident is a mother of four and grandmother of 12. Her husband David (Sa’id) Moshe was killed in their home on October 7.
Daniel Aloni, 45, and Emilia Aloni, 5
Daniel Aloni was among three women who appeared in a hostage video released by Hamas late last month. She came to Nir Oz to visit family and was abducted alongside her daughter Emilia. Her sister Sharon Aloni-Cunio and other family members were kidnapped and remain in Gaza, says the Nir Oz spokesperson.
Doron Katz Asher, 34, Raz Asher, 4, Aviv Asher, 2
Doron visited Nir Oz with her family and was kidnapped with her two daughters, Aviv and Raz, as well as other family members, including Efrat Katz. She lives in Ganot Hadar and works as an accountant.
His aunt’s 79-year-old partner and another relative were also taken hostage, Roberts said. “Those endless thoughts about, ‘Where are they? How are they doing? What are they going through every minute of the day?’ That can really drive you insane,” said Roberts.
Channa Peri, 79
Peri, who lived in Kibbutz Nirim, immigrated to Israel from South Africa in the 1960s. She worked in a grocery store and is a mother of three – one of whom was murdered on October 7 and another kidnapped. “She has diabetes, and suffers severe vision loss in one of her eyes,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in a statement.
Ruth Munder, 78, Karen Munder, 54, and Ohad Munder, 9
Ruth Munder, the 78-year-old Nir Oz resident who is a retired hairdresser and seamstress, was abducted along with her husband, her daughter Keren and her only grandson, Ohad. Her son, Roee, was killed on October 7, the Nir Oz spokesperson said. Her 78-year-old husband still remains in Gaza.
“She met her husband Avraham in the kibbutz… Ruth is a very talented woman, she was the librarian of the kibbutz and the seamstress. She also knits, paints, and sews. She is retired. Ruth attends classes and family trips,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Keren Munder, 54, is a physical education teacher for children with special needs was born and raised in Nir Oz. She was abducted along with her only son, Ohad, and her parents, Ruth and Avraham, said the Kibbutz spokesperson.
Ohad Munder, 9, “came to Nir Oz to visit family” when he was abducted alongside family members, the kibbutz spokesperson for Nir Oz said.
Israeli hostages – Saturday
Emily Hand, 9
Emily’s father Thomas initially thought his daughter was killed in Hamas’ October 7 attacks.
Weeks later, Israeli officials told him that they’re not sure Emily was killed, as they had not located her body and didn’t find any blood in the home where she was sleeping.
On Sunday, the Israeli military released an emotional video of Emily running into the arms of her father.
Hila Rotem, 13
Hila was abducted alongside her mother Raaya Rotem, 54, from Kibbutz Be’eri.
Raaya, however, was not listed among those hostages released.
“That’s part of the deal,” the official said. “It’s unknown where she is and what happened to her.”
Maya Regev, 21
Maya and her brother Itay, 18, were both taken hostage by Hamas gunmen at the Nova festival.
Following her release, Maya was taken to Soroka Hospital for treatment of a moderate injury, according to a written statement from the hospital and Israel’s Ministry of Health. The statement said Regev is in a stable condition and her injury is not considered life threatening.
Noam Or, 17, Alma Or, 13
According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, multiple members of the Or family were taken captive by Hamas. Noam and Alma were on the list of those released Saturday.
Their father Dror Or, 48, is still being held by Hamas in Gaza, according to Israeli officials. Yonat Or, the children’s mother and Dror’s wife, was killed on October 7.
Shiri Weiss, 53, Noga Weiss, 18
Shiri and Noga were both taken hostage from Be’eri kibbutz where more than 120 residents, including children, were massacred.
Sharon Avigdori, 52, Noam Avigdori, 12
Shoshan Haran, 67
Adi Shoham, 38, Yahel Shoham, 3, Naveh Shoham, 8
Foreign nationals
Thailand
Thai authorities have released the names of the 14 Thai nationals who had been freed by Hamas so far.
They are: Nattawaree Munkan, Santi Boonprom, Boonthom Pankhong, Mongkol Phachuabboon, Vetoon Phoome, Vichai Kalapat, Bancha Kongmanee, Buddhee Saengboon, Uthai Toonsri, Uthai Saengnuan, Natthaporn Onkaew, Komkrit Chombua, Anucha Angkaew and Manee Jirachart.
Israeli farms employ thousands of Thai labourers, according to Israel’s ministry of interior.
Nattawaree Munkan’s mother, Boonyarin Srichan, lives in Thailand’s Khon Kaen province with her 8-year-old granddaughter. She revealed how she “cried out of my happiness” when she heard the news of Nattawaree’s release.
The last image he saw of his son was in a bunker where he was taking cover on the October 7 attacks. Manee had gone to work in Israel to send money home to his family and was expected to return next year.
Philippines
Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco, a Philippine citizen, had been working as a caretaker in Israel when he was taken hostage on October 7. Avishay Ben Zvi, the son of the man Pacheco had been working for, said after the release that Pacheco was doing better than expected and had spoken with his wife back in the Philippines.
Poland
A Polish citizen was among the hostages released from Gaza Friday, Poland’s foreign ministry said on Saturday.
The ministry did not provide any information on who the Polish citizen is, but used the feminine version of the noun for “citizen,” indicating the citizen is female. It is not yet known if she is a dual national.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
