WATCH: Israeli hostages are released by Hamas in Tel Aviv after nearly seven weeks of captivity

The release of the 24 prisoners – out of about 240 taken hostage by Hamas during an attack on southern Israel on October 7 – comes after an agreement between Israel and Hamas that includes a four-day ceasefire.

Tel Aviv: Palestinian armed group Hamas has released 24 hostages held captive in Gaza for nearly seven weeks, and Israel has freed 39 Palestinian prisoners, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brokered by Qatar came into effect. The released prisoners included 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals and a Philippine citizen, Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in Qatar, said on Friday.

The release of the 24 prisoners – out of roughly 240 taken hostage by Hamas during an attack on southern Israel on October 7 – comes after an agreement between Israel and Hamas that includes a four-day ceasefire and prisoner exchanges for Palestinians detained in Israel. Israeli prisons, came into effect.

Images of hostages being released by Hamas in Tel Aviv. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirms that the released hostages are with them, and that they will continue to be accompanied by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families.

Images of hostages being released by Hamas in Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirms that the released hostages are with them, and that they will continue to be escorted by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their… pic.twitter.com/q91TWKKdR6

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The ICRC in Israel and the Occupied Territories said it had transported the group of prisoners from Gaza to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. “We are relieved to confirm the safe release of 24 hostages,” the ICRC wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Qatar said 39 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons were released as part of the deal. Israel confirmed that 39 prisoners had been released.