Alsharq Tribune- Ahmed Essam
Israel released a third batch of 110 Palestinian prisoners as part of the captive-prisoner exchange under the ceasefire deal with Hamas, following a delay ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Two buses carrying Palestinian prisoners departed Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, according to an AFP journalist, as part of the agreement for a truce in Gaza. Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Israel Katz had instructed prison authorities to postpone the release until the safe return of Israeli captives was confirmed.
Earlier on Thursday, Hamas handed over two Israeli captives, Gadi Moses and Arbel Yehoud, along with five Thai nationals, to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the deputy director general of the Ministry of Health said at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva: "We are in the midst of receiving the returned hostages in four different hospitals."
"I am happy to inform you that all of the returned hostages have undergone an initial medical evaluation, and their medical condition is normal," the official added. Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the freed Thai captives were expected to return home within 10 days.
"Though they seem to be in good health, they have been in captivity for 15 months ... I would think they should be able to return within 10 days," Ministry Spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told reporters.
Israel said it had received assurances from international mediators for the "safe release" of Gaza captives during future exchanges following the chaos that erupted during Thursday's handover of seven captives
"Following Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu's request, the mediators have provided a commitment guaranteeing the safe release of our hostages who will be freed in the next phases," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
