RAFAH, EGYPT – (WBAP/KLIF) – The first group of hostages being returned by Hamas to Israel is making it’s way back into Israeli territory. Numbers are slightly fluctuating as reported by different network news outlets, but it appears there are 13 hostages taken from Israel in addition to 12 Thai nationals also kidnapped that are making their way from release to Rafah, Egypt, to the custody of the International Red Cross, and then to Israel. Officials say the physical condition of the hostages will determine if they will be flown or driven to a dedicated hospital reported about one hour’s driving travel time away.
More hostage exchanges will occur over a four day period of a cease-fire as agreed too by Israel and Hamas. Israel vows to resume intense bombardment of Gaza once the cease-fire period is over, continuing with it’s efforts to destroy Hamas. Journalists in Israel report the cease-fire began 7:18 am Israeli time. Also reported, sparodic small arms fire from inside Gaza, but artillery fire, airstrikes and rockets appear to have stopped in this war for the time being.
The cease-fire also allows the entry of at least 90 trucks carrying sorely needed aid for those trapped by the fighting in Gaza. More than 200 trucks had lined up at the border crossing of Rafah, Egypt, poised to bring medical supplies, fuel for hospitals and generators, food and clean water supplies to those in Gaza, with all supplies exhausted in weeks of fighting and Israel controlling – and not allowing – anything to enter Gaza as it pounded different regions of the strip in an effort to root out and destroy Hamas and it’s capabilities.
Sixty-seven Palestinians unable to return to the Gaza Strip from Egypt after the war began returned to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing as well during the initial Hamas hostage releases.
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