24 more hostages released by Hamas

Israeli women and children, as well as Thai and Filipino citizens, were freed as a part of a cease-fire agreement

Ambulances outside the Schneider medical center in Tel Aviv on Nov. 24. Photo by Erik Marmor/Getty Images

By Laura E. Adkins November 24, 2023

Twenty-four hostages captured by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7 have been released Friday.

The number includes 13 Israeli hostages released as part of a deal for a four-day cease-fire. Also on Friday Hamas released 10 Thai hostages and one Filipino citizen in a deal brokered with Egypt, according to The Red Cross.

All but one of the Israeli hostages released on Nov. 24 were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Approximately one-quarter of the kibbutz’s residents were killed, kidnapped or injured on Oct. 7.

Danielle Aloni, 44, and her daughter Emilia, 6, were among the hostages who crossed into Israel on Friday night. Several members of the Aloni family are believed to still be held by Hamas in Gaza.

Members of Kibbutz Nir Oz confirmed from video taken at the border crossing that Margalit Mozes, 78, and Adina Moshe, 72, were also among those released.

Several members of the Munder family have also been released: 9-year-old Ohad Munder-Zichri, his mother Karen, 54, and his grandmother Ruti, 78.

Others released include Aviv Katz Asher, 2, Raz Katz Asher, 4, and their mother Doron Katz Asher, 34. Also Channa Peri, 79, Chana Katzir, 77, and Yaffa Adar, 85.

The Israeli hostages who were freed were reunited with the surviving members of their families at Israeli hospitals, where they will receive at least 48 hours of medical observation. The mothers and children so far appear to be in good physical condition, according to a statement from Schneider Children’s hospital. Some of the older women are “feeble and exhausted,” and unlikely to be sent home tomorrow.

The first batch of 39 prisoners previously held by Israel, all women and minors, has also been released, per Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari.

Each day of the cease-fire, Israel will receive a list around 4 p.m. of the new hostages to be released, according to Haaretz, and notify their families. Hamas has the option to extend the cease-fire by releasing an additional 10 hostages per day.

“We are committed to the return of all our hostages,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement following the release.

Laura E. Adkins is a senior director at Jewish Women International and the former opinion editor of the Forward. Email her or follow her on X.

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