(CNN) — Hamas released the first group of hostages and returned safely to Israel on Friday, ending the first phase of a historic agreement painstakingly negotiated between the warring parties with the help of foreign mediation.
The civilians include 13 Israeli women and children captured by Hamas during its brutal cross-border attacks on October 7, and held in besieged Gaza for 48 days amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
After the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was cleared, the hostages were transferred from the Red Cross to Egyptian officials before being transported to Israel by helicopter. Once they arrived, they were transferred to sites prepared by the IDF with medical supplies and support for their initial reception.
According to information provided by the Prime Minister’s Office and Kibbutz Nir Oz spokesman, the thirteen released Israelis were: Yaffa Adar, 85 years old; Ohad Mander, 9 years old; Keren Maunder, 54; Ruth Maunder, 78; Margalit Moises, 77 years old; Adina Moshe, 72; Daniel Aloni, 45 years old; Emilia Aloni, 5 years old; Aviv Asher, two years old; Raz Asher, 4; Doron Katz Asher, 34; Hanna Katsir, 76 years old; and Shanna Berry, 79 years old.
The spokesman said in a statement that 12 of the 13 are from Kibbutz Nir Oz. About 77 people from that sect were kidnapped on October 7.
CNN previously reported that the 13th hostage, Chana Peri, is from Kibbutz Nirim.
Danielle Aloni was one of three women who appeared in a hostage video released by Hamas late last month.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al Ansari said that among the 24 hostages released on Friday, 10 were Thai citizens and one Filipino citizen.
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