Following a truce mediated by Qatar, Hamas has released 24 hostages held captive in Gaza for almost seven weeks. In return, Israel has released 39 Palestinian prisoners, marking the beginning of the agreed-upon four-day truce.

Among the released captives were 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals, and one Filipino citizen.

Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Qatar on Friday confirmed the releases, stating, “We are relieved to confirm the safe release of 24 hostages.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Israel and the occupied territories facilitated the transportation of the captives from Gaza to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

The captives released by Hamas were part of the roughly 240 individuals taken hostage during an assault on southern Israel on October 7.

This truce, brokered by Qatar, includes the exchange of captives and a commitment to a four-day ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the commitment to the return of all remaining captives, emphasizing the importance of their safe return to their families.

As part of the truce deal, Hamas is set to release 50 women and children out of the 240 taken captive during the October 7 assault.

In reciprocation, Israel will release a total of 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.

Qatar’s al-Ansari clarified that the release of 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino citizen occurred outside the framework of the truce deal.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the release of 12 Thai hostages, expressing the government’s satisfaction.