From the Liveblog of
Friday, November 24, 2023
IDF spokesperson says 24 released hostages underwent initial tests and are in good condition
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the released hostages, 13 Israelis and 11 foreigners, have all undergone initial medical tests and are in good condition.
They are being taken to the Hatzerim airbase to complete physical and mental checkups, and call their families.
The foreigners, from Thailand and the Philippines, will meet representatives of their nations, Hagari says.
They will all be then taken by Israeli Air Force helicopters to hospitals, where they will meet their relatives for the first time in 49 days.
“We must not forget that each and every one of those returning home still has a family member or relative who was murdered or is in captivity in Gaza. It is a great sadness mixed with joy and excitement,” he says.
Among those released tonight is Hanna Katzir, whom the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group falsely said had died in captivity. “This is the proof that [the public] should rely on official sources,” Hagari says.
The Times of Israel Community.