Nine-year-old hostage hugs father for first time after release from Gaza
The Israeli hostage release deal was back on track on Saturday night after a row over aid supplies to the north of the Gaza Strip.
The IDF said the released hostages are currently on their way to the Rafah Crossing.
A Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations, involving Egypt and Qatar, said Hamas would continue with the four-day truce agreed with Israel, the first break in fighting in seven weeks of war.
“After a delay, obstacles to release of prisoners were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian contacts with both sides, and 39 Palestinian civilians will be released tonight, while 13 Israeli hostages will leave Gaza in addition to 7 foreigners,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said on social media.
Earlier on Friday, a total of 24 hostages were released from Gaza and transported through the Rafah crossing into Egypt after seven weeks in captivity.
The exchange is the beginning phase of an agreement expected to free upwards of 50 captives of Hamas.
It comes as at least eight trucks carrying fuel and cooking gas were allowed into Gaza this morning, the Israeli ministry overseeing negotiation with the Palestinians has reported.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported this morning that 196 trucks crossed into the Gaza Strip through yesterday.
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One of the released hostages has been confirmed as Sharon Avigdori, 52, a drama therapist who works with people on the autism spectrum.
She was described as employing “endless sensitivity and compassion to reach children on the autism spectrum, working patiently within their world to nurture each child’s potential”.
(Supplied)
Sharon was kidnapped with her daughter Noam from Kibbutz Be’eri. Additionally, 7 more members of her family were kidnapped and 3 were murdered.
Noam Avigdori, 12, was about to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. She was described as a “cheerful girl who’s always surrounded by many friends”.
“Noam is a member of the Scouts youth movement, a good friend to all, and very funny.”
Barney Davis25 November 2023 22:05
Moment Red Cross convoy carrying 13 Israeli hostages leaves Gaza
Moment Red Cross convoy carrying Israeli hostages crosses from Gaza
Barney Davis25 November 2023 21:59
Pictured: 13 Israeli hostages released by Hamas into Egypt
The full list of released hostages include: Hila Rotem, Emily Hand, Maya Regev, Noam Or, Alma Or, Noga Weiss, Shiri Weiss, Sharon Avigdori, Noam Avigdori, Shoshan Haran, Adi Shoham, Yahel Shoham and Naveh Shoham.
(12)
Alma Or, 13, described as a “very pretty girl, a good friend, and a funny kid” was snatched alongside her elder brother Noam.
She was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Be’eri along with her older brother Noam and their father Dror. Their mother Yonat was murdered.
(Supplied)
Their older brother Yahli survived the inferno as he was at his post in northern Israel where he is doing a year of national service.
Barney Davis25 November 2023 21:53
Hostages transferred to Egypt – IDF says
Red Cross representatives have transferred the hostages released by Hamas to Egypt, according to the information that was received by the IDF.
17 hostages were released, including 13 Israeli hostages and 4 foreign hostages believed to be Thai nationals.
The released hostages’ convoy is currently making its way through Egypt to the meeting point with IDF soldiers in Kerem Shalom.
(REUTERS)
The families of the hostages are being updated by IDF representatives with the latest available information.
IDF representatives will verify the list at the meeting point with the released hostages.
Barney Davis25 November 2023 21:42
13 Israelis and 4 foreigners released by Hamas on way to Rafah crossing – Qatari ministry
Hamas has reportedly released hostages who are on the way to Rafah crossing on the border of the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Red Cross vehicles were later seen crossing into Egypt.
It came in exchange for 39 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, Qatari and Egyptian mediators said, after the militant group delayed the second round of swaps for several hours and claimed that Israel had violated the terms of a truce deal.
The last-minute delay had created a tense standoff on the second day of what’s meant to be a four-day cease-fire.
Barney Davis25 November 2023 21:24
Macron calls French youngster to thank him for disarming Dublin attacker
French President Emmanuel Macron has congratulated a teenager who knocked the knife out of an attackers hand during the stabbing of children in Dublin.
Alan Loren-Guille, 17, was on his way to work in Spitalfields restaurant on Thursday when he came across the scene where a man had stabbed three children and two adults outside a school.
According to the Le Figaro newspaper, Mr Macron called him to “congratulate him and thank him for this act of bravery which helped save lives and which makes us all proud.”
Spitalfields restaurant posted its own tribute to Mr Loren-Guille saying: “This is our own 17 year old super hero Alan Loren-Guille who was one of the brave hero’s that managed to disarm the school children attacker yesterday in Dublin on his way to work.
“He is one of our brilliant French stagiaires in the kitchen @spitalfields_dublin. He noticed something happening as he passed by and selflessly jumped in to stop the attacker and managed to wrestle the knife off him.
“He was fairly unscathed but for a couple a cuts to his hand and face. Without this act of bravery who knows what else might have happened. Our prayers are with the poor children, families and teachers who were affected by this tragedy. Please lookout for one and other. Not all superheroes wear capes.”
Barney Davis25 November 2023 21:08
One Israeli hostage family’s anxious wait for release news: ‘It’s hopefulness. It’s helplessness’
The announcement of the deal between Israel and Hamas – and the subsequent release of some of those held captive in Gaza – has left those anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones facing a swirl of emotions, writes Tom Bennet in Tel Aviv.
Barney Davis25 November 2023 21:03
Joe Biden rang Qataris to investigate hold-up over hostage release deal – White House says
President Joe Biden spoke with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the hold-up over the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said.
The White House learned from the Qataris that the hostage agreement was back on and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was moving to collect the hostages.
Biden was briefed throughout Saturday morning and on the latest of the hostage deal implementation, spokesperson Adrienne Watson said.
Barney Davis25 November 2023 20:45
18 arrests during Palestine Solidarity Campaign march in London
18 arrests were made among tens of thousands of people attending a Palestine Solidarity Campaign through central London.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who led the policing operation, said: “I would like to acknowledge the overwhelming majority who came into London today and exercised their right to protest lawfully.
“Regrettably, there was still a small minority who believed the law did not apply to them. Thanks to the efforts of our CCTV teams and other officers, a number of those are already in custody.
“Investigations into other offences are already underway and will continue in the coming days.
(AFP via Getty Images)
“I would also like to thank the Met officers, as well as all those from other forces who travelled long distances to help us keep London safe, for their efforts.
“We said we would intervene decisively where offences took place and that is what they did.”
One man was arrested near Trafalgar Square for possession of a knife.
Another man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after an officer was struck in the chest. The officer wasn’t injured during the incident.
Barney Davis25 November 2023 20:31
Final group dispersed from London March for Ceasefire protest
Police have said they have successfully cleared the last group of pro-Palestinian protesters from central London.
Tens of thousands joined The National March for Palestine, which aimed to finish in Whitehall, central London, the latest in several huge protests staged in the British capital every weekend since the Israel-Hamas war began.
The Met shared images of cleared streets around Whitehall and Trafalgar Square after reports the final group had been in possession of flares.
Barney Davis25 November 2023 20:29