Sunday, November 26, 2023. Annette’s News Roundup.
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Hostage update.
Friday.
13 hostages - Israeli civilians kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th- were released on Friday. 39 Palestinian women and teenage boys held in Israeli prisons for crimes, including murder and attempted murder, were also released, alongside Thai hostages also held by Hamas since October 7th.
A nine-year-old who was held hostage by Hamas hugged his father for the first time on Friday night (24 November) after being freed. Watch the video. 👇
Ohad Monder, his mother Karen, and his grandmother Ruthi returned to Israel last night to a designated compound and reunited with family members. His grandfather is still held by Hamas.
Saturday.
After a tense hours-long delay, after a dispute over a complaint by Hamas over delivery of increased aid to Gaza, threatened to prevent a second day of the hostage exchange.
Wall Street Journal reports. The U.S. role ended the delay: Adrienne Watson of the National Security Council indicated that, when the dispute threatening the hostage exchange was reported, President Biden spoke directly to the emir of Qatar and the Qatari prime minister on Saturday. Then, after that call, senior U.S. officials were put in contact with the Israelis, Qataris and Egyptians to overcome hurdles to hand over the hostages.
Eventually 13 hostages, including eight children, held by the terrorist group, were exchanged on Saturday for 39 Palestinians jailed by Israel for violent crimes including murder. Four citizens of Thailand were also freed by Hamas.
Sunday.
Another exchange is expected. The Israeli prime minister’s office said it has received a list of the next group of hostages to be released Sunday.
Hamas is still holding 10-month-old baby Kfir Bibas hostage.
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