Released Hostages Arrive At Rafah Crossing

GAZA – Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for weeks, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap under a four-day cease-fire deal.

According to Qatari officials, the freed hostages included 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines.

The agreement opened the way for badly needed aid to flow into Gaza since the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas last month.

The truce led to quiet for the first time for Palestinians in seven weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment, which has killed thousands.