Israel-Hamas ceasefire live updates: 90 Palestinian prisoners released as ceasefire enters first full day
What’s next for remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners
Under the terms of this complex multi-phase deal, hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians in Israeli prisoners are expected to be released in waves, the first of which began yesterday with the release of 3 hostages and 90 Palestinians.
President Joe Biden said in a post on X yesterday that four more women are going to be released in the next seven days “and three hostages every seven days thereafter including at least two Americans in this first phase,” he said
The next release is expected for this Saturday.
Talks for a second phase will begin on the 16th day of the deal, Biden said separately in a news briefing yesterday, which includes “the release of Israeli soldiers and a permanent end to the war without Hamas in power or able to threaten Israel.”
Thailand calls for release of all hostages, including Thai nationals
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the ceasefire deal and called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages, including Thai nationals.
Thailand is one of Israel’s biggest sources of foreign labor, particularly in its agriculture sector.
Some 31 Thai nationals were taken hostage during Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Of those, 23 have since been released and two were confirmed to have died in October 2023, leaving six still in captivity.
Gaza health challenges are ‘immense’ as ceasefire begins, WHO says
The World Health Organization said it would implement a 60-day plan to restore and expand the health system in Gaza, saying billions in investment is needed after much of it was destroyed.
“Addressing the massive needs and restoring the health system will be an extremely complex and challenging task, given the scale of destruction, operational complexity and constraints involved,” the group said yesterday. “Billions in investment are needed to support recovery of the health system, which will require the unwavering commitment of donors and the international community.”
Only half of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially operational, the group said, while almost all hospitals have been damaged or partly destroyed. An estimated 25% of those injured, or about 30,000 people, “face life-changing injuries and will need ongoing rehabilitation,” and the Palestinian enclave is also grappling with severe malnutrition and the spread of infectious diseases.
The WHO said priority areas of focus would include trauma and emergency care, primary health care, child health, noncommunicable diseases, sexual and reproductive health, rehabilitation and mental health.
Freed Palestinian prisoners are reunited with loved ones
There were scenes of joy in the West Bank as families awaited to welcome the 90 prisoners who Israel freed as a part of the ceasefire deal. The 90 prisoners were released in exchange for the three Israeli hostages.
