Israel-Hamas War: Celebrations As Freed Palestinians Arrive Jerusalem

A bus carrying nearly three dozen Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived in the West Bank early on Sunday, following Hamas’ release of 17 hostages in the second round of exchanges under the temporary ceasefire agreement.

Hundreds of people greeted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) bus as it arrived in Al Bireh, Associated Press reports.

Crowds chanted “God is great” as the bus arrived, and several young men stood on the roof of the vehicle. Many in the crowd held Hamas flags and chanted pro-Hamas slogans.

Meanwhile, the United Nations says 61 trucks carrying medical supplies, food, and water have delivered their payloads in the northern Gaza Strip, as a pause in fighting allows aid to enter the territory.

Another 200 trucks had been dispatched to Gaza from Nitzana in Israel, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Saturday, with 187 of them having made it past the border by the early evening local time, Agence France-Presse reports.

Eleven ambulances, three coaches, and a flatbed were delivered to al-Shifa hospital, which had seen heavy fighting in recent days, “to assist with evacuations”, the OCHA statement said.

The longer the pause lasts, the more aid humanitarian agencies will be able to send in and across Gaza. The OCHA thanked the Palestinian and Egyptian Red Crescent groups.

The day before, when a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas began in order to facilitate the hostage and prisoner exchange, a total of 137 trucks had delivered aid in Gaza, the UN said.

In a related development, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has named the four Thai nationals recently released by Hamas as Natthaphon Onkaew, Khomkrit Chombua, Anucha Angkaew, and Manee Jirachat.

Thavisin said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter): From the initial physical examination, Everyone is healthy. No one needed urgent medical attention; Everyone talks and walks normally; Everyone is happy to be released. Overall, mental health is in a good state. They can talk normally. They want to take a shower and contact their families.

Currently on the way to Shamir Medical Center Hospital (Assaf Harofe). Thank you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Security Department.