Hamas releases 13 Israeli, 12 Thai hostages as part of 4-day truce deal

Embassy officials are on the way to receive them.

"It has been confirmed by the Security Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 12 Thai hostages have already been released. Embassy officials are on their way to pick them up in another hour. Their names and details should be known soon," Thavisin said.

Hamas, as part of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza today, was initially scheduled to deliver a group of 13 Israeli hostages to neighbouring Egypt in return for 39 Palestinians in Israeli jails.

With the 12 Thai nationals released, 25 people will walk out of captivity after nearly two months.

According to reports, hostages have been handed over to the Red Cross and are on their way to the Rafah border - Gaza's border with Egypt.

Ahead of the hostage release, Israel's air force posted a video montage of toys, throw-rugs, and personal hygiene kits kept at places which will receive the hostages flown in by helicopter.

The  video showed their preparations comprising towels, sanitary pads, hot food, beverages, baby wipes, toys for children, a large area to seat the hostages, and a helicopter on standby.

"We have completed preparations to receive the released hostages upon their return to Israel from Gaza. In coordination with government ministries and security authorities, we have prepared to quickly receive the released hostages and give them all the necessary support," the IDF said in its post on X.

"We have readied several locations dedicated to their initial reception, which include the necessary medical provisions. After the initial reception and medical treatment, they will continue to hospitals where they'll be reunited with their families," it added.

The truce between Israel and Hamas members appears to be taking effect after more than a month-long conflict which has left at least 14,500 people dead, as claimed by Palestinians.

The ceasefire is expected to remain effective for four days.

The pause is expected to give relief to  2.2 million Palestinians in the Gaza strip.

About 240 hostages were taken when Hamas operatives broke through from the Gaza Strip's militarised border with Israel on October 7 and killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.

Some Israeli hostages have been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross for return to Israel, news agency AFP reported quoting two sources close to Hamas.