Ceasefire Deal: Stories from Released Hostages

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas agreed to extend the Gaza war ceasefire for another 24 hours, during which eight captives were set to be released. The total number of Israeli captives released so far is 81. That does not include the Thai and Filipino nationals. The release of hostages included negotiations between the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and of course Israel. The return of hostages and the potential extension of the ceasefire are key points of focus in the ongoing diplomatic and military developments.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken is currently in Israel. He met with prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. Gallant told Blinken, “We are going to fight Hamas until we prevail – no matter how long it takes. This is a just war against Hamas – the ISIS of Gaza, and it’s a war to bring the hostages back home – as long as it takes.”

 The meeting took place at the defense ministry offices. 

 Prime minister Netanyahu also made remarks. Here they are, translated to English:

 “Mr. Secretary of State, welcome to Israel. We greatly appreciate your personal commitment to the State of Israel in the just war against Hamas, the evil organization located in Gaza. We appreciate the commitment shown by President Biden and the United States, to assist Israel. We will carry on with this war until we win it – until we defeat Hamas, dismantle all its governing capabilities, and return all the hostages – I repeat – all the hostages back to their homes. We know that in terms of the goals of the operation we are united with the U.S. and we greatly appreciate this – thank you very much Mr. Secretary of State.”

Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv has announced that 14 former hostages, including nine children and five women, are currently in stable condition. The majority of them are anticipated to be discharged soon, with only one woman and one girl requiring extended hospitalization for ongoing observation and orthopedic treatment, respectively. The hospital emphasizes that all former hostages will receive personalized medical, psychosocial, and nutritional care within their community areas. 

There were two batches recently released. That includes 21-year-old Mia Schem who is a French/Israeli dual citizen and 40-year-old Amit Soussana. They were escorted to Israeli territory Thursday, and brought to the Hatzerim Air Base in southern Israel. The video of young Mia meeting her family for the first time is very moving. 

The list of Israeli citizens released includes:

• Gal Tarshansky (13)
• Amit Shani (15)
• Liam Or (18)
• Itay Regev Jerbi (18)
• Ofir Engel (17)
• Yarden Roman-Gat (35)
• Moran Stela Yanai (40)
• Liat Binin Atzili (49)
• Ra’aya Rotem (54)
• Raz Ben-Ami (56)

Four Thai nationals were also released. Two more citizens released Wednesday evening. Their names are Yelena Trupanov (50) and Irena Tati (73). 

The Thai workers who were captured and taken hostage on October 7th gave reports of what captivity was like. Channel 12 got the story and the Thai workers say that the Jews in captivity were treated more harshly. They were beaten with cables and guarded at all times. The unnamed man reports that the compound was quite large and he would walk back and forth counting his steps. He said there was little food for the hostages to eat.

“One pita a day. Sometimes cans of tuna that the four people in captivity shared,” he said. “Sometimes there was a piece of cheese. And he says one time they were allowed to shower. 

Prior to October 7, some 30,000 Thai farm hands were employed in Israel, with around 5,000 of them working in communities close to the Gaza Strip.39 Thai workers were killed and 32 were taken hostage. They were released back into Israel for medical care. Many Israeli individuals are working to get them to their families in one way or another.