Hamas releases 13 Israeli hostages in first day of truce

Hamas released 13 Israeli hostages Friday in the first exchange of prisoners with Israel that will take place over the next four days.

The first group of Israeli hostages have crossed into Egypt and are expected to be transferred soon to hospitals in Israel, where they will be treated for any injuries, according to the Times of Israel.

The released hostages will also meet with their families at the hospitals.

The 13 Israeli prisoners were freed along with 12 Thai hostages. Hamas is expected to get 39 Palestinian prisoners from Israel on Friday.

By the end of the four-day truce, Hamas will free a total of 50 hostages who were taken captive during a deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel.

Israeli officials are expected to release 150 Palestinian prisoners.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a release that emergency workers are assisting with the transfer of hostages in Gaza and Palestinians held in the West Bank.

The ICRC will also assist with the delivery of emergency aid into Gaza, including fuel and medical supplies to help keep the power on at hospitals across the coastal strip.

The temporary truce was mediated by Qatar and was the result of intense negotiations between Egypt, the U.S., Hamas and Israel.

Israel and Hamas are expected to resume fighting once the truce ends as Israeli officials have vowed to eradicate the Palestinian militant group.