The militants released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, while Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners. A BITTERSWEET MOMENT FOR HOSTAGE FAMILIESShortly before midnight, Hamas released the second group of hostages, 13 Israelis and four Thais. The Israeli hostages freed on Saturday included seven children and six women, Netanyahu’s office announced. A kibbutz spokesperson said all the released hostages either had a family member killed in the Oct. 7 rampage or a loved one still in captivity in Gaza.

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Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Nurhan Awad, Israa Jaabis, Jaabis, ”, Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas, ___ Magdy, Tia Goldenberg Organizations: Hamas, Health Ministry, United Nations, Aid, Palestinian, Crescent, West Bank, Palestinian Prisoners ’ Club, Associated Press Locations: DEIR, Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, Tel Aviv, United States, Gaza City, Be’eri, Jerusalem, Palestine, Al, Cairo, israel