Hostage Release / Exchange

[JustAnotherGen]

Please Note - Posted in the Jewish Group

I would not have posted it here if I was open to "both sides" arguments. Thank you.

https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-24-2023-172256dd593189f7b37f7c62f4739c6b

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released the first batch of hostages under a cease-fire deal that began Friday, including 13 Israelis who have been held in the Gaza Strip since the militant group staged a raid on Israel nearly seven weeks ago, according to officials and media reports.

Twelve Thai nationals were also released, according to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. An Israeli official confirmed that the Thai captives left Gaza and were en route to a hospital in Israel. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to discuss the releases with the media.

In all, 50 captives had been expected to be freed during a four-day truce. It was not clear if the Thai hostages were included in that.

I applaud Biden for getting this done. And I do place the success squarely in the hands of this Administration. But - this does not seem like a fair exchange.

Israel is set to release 150 Palestinians under the deal. Thirty-nine — 24 women, including some convicted of attempted murder for attacks on Israeli forces, and 15 teenagers jailed for offenses like throwing stones — were expected to be freed Friday, Palestinian authorities said

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Good start Hamas - now make this all go away and release the rest. 40/49 down - 200 to go.

Not a single one of the hostages was on a Hamas (political leadership in Gaza) APB for attempted murder of Gaza Hamas/Military forces.

[CincyDem]

1. This is as fair as we're gonna get right now...and much better than the last exchange.

Last big hostage exchange was 1000 Palestinians for a single IDF soldier. This group included the alleged terrorist who designed the 10/7 attacks.

So 3:1 is a better deal and the profile of the group released is, at least in the surface, more benign than the 1000. 50 home is better than zero home and the exchange rate, including the pause, is worth it.

I’d love to see all 250 home but I fear that’s unlikely given Hamas’ approach in the past. If the world can’t march against holding women newborns children and elderly, some disabled, how do think they’ll react when it’s only IDF left in the tunnels.

So, as you say…let’s see what we learn in 4 days about the exchange progress.

[MyMission]

2. Happy and heartbroken

I've been following this too, waiting for news.

I'm happy some of them are coming "home" although many of their homes have been destroyed.
I'm heartbroken for them and what they've been through, and for the ones not being released yet, and their families.
I think of these traumatized children and women being released. Many of them have lost some of all of their immediate families and close friends. Many have family and friends who were also abducted but will not be released at this time.
And I ache for the families with loved ones who will remain as hostages. My heart goes out to them, and to those being released, for all they have endured and will need to deal with in this new reality they're returning to.

And yet it is a step, a small step.
50 Jewish hostages will be released over the next 4 days. I hope and pray the others will be released soon, or rescued. With the ceasefire I expect Israel will be watching Hamas movement, and may be able to track and locate where some of the many still in captivity are being held or moved to.