Twenty-four hostages released by Hamas in Gaza

The Red Cross says 24 people who were being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza have been released. Thirteen are Israelis who received medical assessments inside Israeli territory. An ICRC spokesperson said they seemed in good health. Ten of the other hostages are from Thailand and one is from the Philippines. In exchange for the release of the Israeli hostages, Qatar says 39 Palestinian prisoners have now been freed from Israeli jails. We get details from our Middle East experts in the newsroom.

Our Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet joins live to explain the significance of the first breakthrough in the war and to give context on today’s events.

We also speak to family members of Israeli hostages and to Palestinians whose relatives are expected to be freed from prison as part of the deal between Israel and Gaza.

We hear about the humanitarian situation in Gaza where the four-day pause in fighting has come into effect today.

Presenter: James Reynolds.

(Photo: A vehicle carrying hostages abducted by Hamas militants during the October 7 attack on Israel arrives at the Rafah border, amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, from southern Gaza Strip November 24, 2023. Credit: Reuters TV/Reuters)