DOHA, Nov  24, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - A total of 24 hostages -- 13 Israelis, 10

Thais and one Filipino -- were handed over Friday to the Red Cross in Gaza by
Hamas, Qatar, which mediated the deal, said.

       "Those released include 13 Israeli citizens, some of whom are dual
citizens, in addition to 10 Thai citizens and a Filipino citizen," foreign
ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

       He said 39 women and children detained in Israeli jails had also been freed
under a deal to exchange hostages seized by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners.

       Qatar has led weeks of intense negotiations, coordinating with the US and
Egypt, to reach an agreement for the freeing of 50 civilian hostages from Gaza
in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a four-day truce and access
for humanitarian aid.  

       A source with knowledge of the talks confirmed to AFP the 11 Thais and one
Filipino freed were in addition to the 50 Israeli hostages earmarked for
release.  

       Their release was secured "following the Thai foreign minister's visit to
Qatar and mediation efforts by the Qataris and Egyptians," the source said on
condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.  

       The number of hostages due to be freed under the deal, staggered over the
four-day truce, is by far the largest since Hamas gunmen stormed across Gaza's
militarised border on October 7 and carried out the deadliest attack in
Israel's history.

       Israel says the attack killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw
around 240 more taken hostage, among them elderly people and children.  
       In response, Israel launched a relentless bombing campaign and ground
offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which the Hamas government says has killed more
than 15,000 people, thousands of them children.

       Qatar has said the initial four-day truce is designed to be extended if
further hostage and prisoner exchanges can be secured.