Ten Israeli hostages and two Thai nationals were released from Hamas captivity tonight. The freed Israeli hostages include nine women and one child.
Red Cross representatives transferred the 12 hostages over to IDF special forces adjacent to the border fence in the central Gaza Strip. From there, they made their way to the Hatzerim Base.
One released hostage who returned to Israel was evacuated via a helicopter directly to a hospital.
Additionally, four released hostages were transferred over to Egypt through the Rafah Crossing, from which they will make their way to the meeting point with IDF soldiers in Israeli territory.
The families of the hostages are being updated by IDF representatives with the latest available information.
The hostages released tonight:
Dietza Heyman, 84 years old
Ditza was abducted from the hospital in her home in Nir Oz. Her friends in the kibbutz wrote about her, “Ditza is one of the kibbutz founders, for years she took care of Nir Oz babies.”
Tamar Metzger, 78 years old
Tamar was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz together with her husband Yoram, who remains a prisoner of Hamas. They are parents of three children and grandparents
Norleen Agujo, 60 years old
Norlin went on Friday evening, together with her partner Gideon Babani to close friends in Nirim on the occasion of the kibbutz’s 70th anniversary celebrations, where they also stayed to sleep. Gideon was murdered and Norlin was kidnapped to Gaza.
Ada Sagi, 75 years old from Nir Oz
Ada was kidnapped from her home in Nir Oz. She is a retired teacher and educator. Ada grew up in Tel Aviv and came to Nir Oz in Gerin Nahal, where she met her husband and built her home. Her husband died about a year ago. She is a mother of three and grandmother of six and was supposed to go to her son who lives in London to celebrate his birthday.
Merav Tal, 53 years old
Merav is the partner of Yair Yaakov whose sons Or Vigil were released yesterday.
Rimon Kirsht, 36 years old
Rimon was kidnapped from her home together with her partner Yagav. In the video released by Hamas on October 30, she was seen alongside two other abductees – Daniel Aloni and Vilna Trupanov.
Ophelia Roitman, 77 years old
Ophelia was kidnapped from Nir Oz. Her husband was supposed to be released from the hospital, but remained hospitalized due to an infection and thus survived.
Clara Merman, 63, Gabriela Leimberg, 59, and her 17-year-old daughter, Mia
The three were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak while they were celebrating the birthday of Clara’s granddaughter. Clara and Gabriela are sisters, Mia is Gabriela’s daughter and Clara’s niece. The three were kidnapped along with other family members: Fernando Marman, brother of Clara and Gabriela and Norberto Luis Herr, Clara’s partner.
WATCH: IDF footage of Israeli hostages returning to Israel tonight
About 150 people are believed to still be held as hostages in Gaza, out of 240 who were kidnapped on October 7.
In exchange for the hostages, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released by Israel later today.
Baruch Hashem imyh with all the others amen