First batch of 13 Israeli hostages return home after 49 days

Tel Aviv: After spending 49 days in captivity of Hamas, 13 hostages who were kidnapped from Israel have returned home safely, an official said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement on Friday said that the 13 hostages are back in Israeli territory.

After their release, they were escorted by the IDF as well as officers from Shin Bet, the Israeli intelligence agency.

The IDF said that its officers were accompanying the released hostages till they are reunited with their respective families.

The released hostages are Channa Katzir (77), Margalit Mozes (77), Yafa Adir (85), Hannah Perry (79), Adina Moshe (74), Danille Amoni (42) and Emilia Alony (9), Ruthi Monder (79), Keren Monder (59) and Ohad Monder (9), Aviv Asher (2) Raz Asher (5) and Doron Katz- Asher (34). The 13 hostages will be crossing into Israel through Karem Shalom crossing.

Meanwhile, Qatar has announced the release of 39 Palestinian prisoners which include women and minors who were imprisoned in Israeli jails.

This release by Israel, according to Qatar authorities, is part of the prisoner swapping deal that was agreed upon between Israel and Hamas through the good office of Qatar. The families of other hostages who are still in the custody of Hamas are worried over them and Idan Baruch, whose younger brother Uriel Baroch was kidnapped from Supernova festival, said that he expected a release of all the prisoners in the custody of Hamas.

Speaking to mediapersons, Idan Baruch said: "We had hoped to see a general agreement which would bring all the hostages out, but the government has insisted that nobody would be left behind, and we have to trust in that. So at least there will be those who will be released now and we will be happy for them."