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2023.11.30 11:01 GMT+8

Hamas frees 16 more hostages as part of truce with Israel in Gaza

Updated 2023.11.30 11:01 GMT+8
CGTN

Israeli soldiers prepare for the arrival of newly released hostages outside a medical center in the Tel Aviv district, November 28, 2023. /CFP

Hamas handed over 16 more hostages to Israeli officials on Wednesday, the last day of an extended truce in the Gaza conflict, the Red Cross and other authorities said.

In a repeat of scenes over the past six days during a humanitarian pause in hostilities, the civilians were released to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and driven in vehicles to Israel.

Under the terms of the Qatar-mediated deal, 30 Palestinians, 16 minors and 14 women, will be released on Wednesday in exchange, Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Two Russian citizens and four Thai citizens were released outside the framework of the agreement while the 10 Israeli citizens freed include five dual citizens, Ansari said. They were a Dutch dual citizen, who is also a minor, three German dual citizens and one U.S. dual citizen, he said.

The hostages freed were among some 240 people seized by Hamas militants during a rampage in southern Israel on October 7 in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed. Israel's bombardment of Gaza in retaliation has killed more than 15,000 Gazans, according to health authorities in the Palestinian enclave.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier identified two Russian-Israeli women freed on Wednesday night as Yelena Trupanov, 50, and Irena Tati, 73. Video from Hamas' armed wing showed the women being handed over to the ICRC and driven out of the Gaza Strip.

(With input from Reuters)

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