The first group of hostages released under the truce deal between Hamas and Israel have been handed to the Red Cross and to an Egyptian security team.
This comes after the first limited pause in fighting formally began earlier on Friday.
Under the terms of the four-day truce, 13 women and children, out of around 240 hostages captured by Hamas on October 7, were expected to comprise the first batch to be released.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that Hamas had released 12 Thai nationals held captive in Gaza. Their release reportedly followed a separate track of talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar, and was unrelated to the truce negotiations.
Later today, Israel was due to release the first 39 Palestinians from its jails, among them 24 women and 15 teenagers.
Fire breaks out at Kuwaiti refinery after drone attacks
UK says vaccine protects against strain in deadly meningitis outbreak
Tropical Cyclone Narelle weakens after lashing Australia's northeast with winds, rain
More than 50 injured in fire at car parts factory in South Korea
Four countries condemn Iranian attack on Ras Laffan in Qatar
