Thirteen Israeli citizens taken hostage in Gaza were released by Palestinian terror group Hamas and brought back into Israel by the IDF, Israel confirmed on Sunday evening.
In addition, one Russian-Israeli was released as requested by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as three Thai citizens. The four were released via the Rafah crossing.
Hostages arrived in IDF custody and reentered Israel on Sunday evening. Elma Avraham was rushed to a hospital by helicopter upon reentry, she is in life-threatening condition according to a Soroka Medical Center statement. The remaining 12 freed hostages arrived at Hatzerim Airbase in the Negev for an initial medical assessment.
Afterwards, nine children and two mothers were brought to Schneider Children's Medical Center in stable condition and underwent a medical and emotional evaluation by the medical and psychosocial teams of the hospital, according to Dr. Efrat Baron Harlev, the CEO of the Schneider Children's Medical Center.
"This is a national mission and we are proud and privileged to take care of them," said Harlev. "Our hearts with the hostages who remain in Gaza and their families and we hope that they will return to us soon -safe and healthy."
The list of released hostages included: Avigail Idan, three years old; the Brodutch family: Hagar (40), Ofri (10), Yuval (8) and Uriah (4); Ella and Dafna Elyakim, eight and 15 years old; the Almog-Goldstein family: Chen (48), Agam (17), Gal (11) and Tal (9); Elma Avraham, 84 years old; Aviva Siegel, 64 years old.
Roni Krivoy is the hostage who holds Russian citizenship, who was released thanks to direct intervention from Putin. He was welcomed back to Karmiel by Mayor Moshe Koninski, who said "The city of Karmiel welcomes Roni's release and rejoices together with his parents Oleg and Marina and brothers Yulia and Igor." Krivoy arrived at Sheba Medical Center later on Sunday for medical check-ups.
An Israeli senior official told Israeli media earlier on Sunday that "no delay is expected today in the release of the third group of abductees". This was said after the release of the hostages was delayed yesterday by Hamas, claiming that Israel did not meet the conditions of the ceasefire.
Egypt received lists of 13 Israeli hostages and 39 Palestinians scheduled for release on Sunday, the third batch in the four-day truce deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), said in a statement. Hamas said on Sunday they had handed over 13 Israeli hostages, three Thai nationals and one Russian to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"The truce is proceeding without roadblocks," the statement said, adding that 120 aid tucks crossed from Egypt to Gaza on Sunday including two fuel trucks and two with gas for cooking.
The Red Crescent put out a statement on Sunday night clarifying that "The ICRC was not involved in the negotiations, and its role has been to facilitate the agreement as a neutral intermediary."
Hamas releases Russian hostage after Putin intervention
Earlier, Palestinian terror group Hamas released on Sunday afternoon an Israeli-Russian dual citizen taken hostage from Gaza, it said, confirmed by TASS.
Hamas was set to release the Russians following the intervention and at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin.