(CNN) — The first hostages were freed by Hamas and returned safely to Israel this Friday, concluding the first phase of a historic deal negotiated between the warring parties with the help of foreign mediation.
The civilians included 13 Israeli women and children
After crossing the Rafah border into Egypt, the hostages were transferred from the Red Cross to Egyptian authorities before being flown home to Israel by helicopter. Once there, they were transferred to facilities prepared by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with medical supplies and support for their initial reception.
According to information provided by the Prime Minister’s Office and a spokesman for Kibbutz Nir Oz, the 13 Israelis released are: Yaffa Adar, 85; Ohad Munter, 9 years old; Keren Munter, 54 years; Ruth Munder, 78 years; Margalit Moisés, 77 years old; Adina Moshe, 72 years old; Daniel Aloni, 45; Emilia Aloni, 5; Aviv Asher, 2; Ross Asher, 4; Doron Katz Asher, 34 years old; Hana Katzir, 76 years old; and Channa Peri, 79 years old.
Twelve of the 13 were from Kibbutz Nir Oz, the spokesman said in a statement. 77 people from that community were abducted on October 7.
The 13th hostage, Channa Beri, is from Kibbutz Nirim, CNN previously reported.
Daniel Aloni was one of three women who appeared in a hostage video released by Hamas late last month.
Among the 24 hostages freed this Friday were 10 Thai citizens and 1 Filipino citizen, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari said in X.