KEY POINTS
- Netanyahu met with Germany's president after the announcement of a $7.6 million donation
- The IDF is facilitating the entry of cooking gas and fuel for UN aid groups in Gaza
- The 11 hostages freed Monday have finally reached Tel Aviv, as per IDF
As the Israel-Hamas war enters its 53rd day, the warring sides have agreed to extend the ceasefire for two more days, raising hopes for the release of more hostages that have been held by the militant group in Gaza for more than seven weeks.
- Israel, Hamas agree to 2-day ceasefire extension
- 11 hostages, 33 Palestinian prisoners freed Monday
- 2 Americans not included in Monday's release
- Israel receives list of 10 hostages to be freed Tuesday
- Majority of freed hostages Monday were children
- Hamas expected to make greater demands to release abducted soldiers
- Some freed hostages start sharing their experiences in Hamas captivity
- 10-month old Kfir Bibas and his family, are being held by another Palestinian faction: IDF
- Hostages were "briefed" on how to act in front of cameras: IDF spokesperson
- 3 young French nationals among hostages freed Monday: foreign minister
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Monday wherein the former thanked Steinmeir "for being a true friend to Israel."
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said eight containers carrying cooking gas and fuel were delivered to United Nations humanitarian aid groups in Gaza as part of the truce agreement with Hamas. Humanitarian groups have called for more aid to enter the enclave before the truce started on Nov. 24.
U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated Tuesday that a two-state solution was the "only way" to ensure that Israelis and Palestinians can achieve long-term peace. He has repeatedly expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas attacks, but has also urged its Middle Eastern ally to conduct defense operations based on humanitarian and international laws.
Hamas militants launched a surprise attack in Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than a thousand people – mostly civilians – and abducting over 200 hostages. Since then, a total of 69 hostages being held by the terror group have been freed, and in exchange, Israel has released 150 Palestinians from prisons.
The Oct. 7 carnage stems from longstanding Israel-Palestine tensions that have drawn attacks into Israel from other terrorist organizations, including Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which are both backed by Iran.
Blinken thanks Qatar for its "critical efforts" in hostage release talks
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken thanked Qatar Tuesday for its "critical efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas," as per a statement from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Blinken also discussed during a call with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani the importance of sustaining the surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli shell falls in southern Lebanon: Arab media
An Israeli shell fell near Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, Arab media reported, citing the Lebanese National News Agency. The IDF has yet to report if it fired into Lebanese territory.
The report comes following weeks of fire exchanges between Israeli air defense forces and Iran-backed paramilitary group Hezbollah near Israel's northern border with Lebanon.
3 young French hostages among those freed: foreign minister
French foreign minister Catherine Colonna expressed joy and "relief" over the confirmation that three young French nationals were among the 11 hostages Hamas released Monday.
"Three French children were finally freed, now we must work relentlessly for the release of all the other hostages," she said. There are still five French citizens either missing or believed to be held hostage in Gaza.
Hostages were 'briefed' how to act in front of cameras by Hamas: IDF spox
Some of the freed hostages told Israeli troops how they were "briefed and how they were told how to act in front of the cameras by Hamas media people," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said in an interview Tuesday.
Hamas is carefully staging the return videos of our hostages to appear humane, after butchering almost 1000 Israeli civilians.
— Jonathan Conricus (@jconricus) November 28, 2023
Sickening.
So are false equivalencies between the release of our civilian hostages and Palestinian felons. My interview on @livenowfox pic.twitter.com/9jW1p1fHuD
"It appears of tremendous importance for Hamas to stage the whole handover process, and they want to see – they want to see smiling faces and waving hands, and our hostages holding the hands of their captors," he said.
His comments came after X (formerly Twitter) users pointed out how Yagil Yaakov, one of the children released by Hamas Monday, appeared to "shrug" just after waving goodbye to a Hamas operative in a documentation video of the hostage transfer published by the militant group.
My new hero!
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) November 28, 2023
After the Hamas savages force 12-year-old hostage Yagil Yaakov to wave for the cameras for their sick little propaganda video as he departs captivity, check out his little shrug at the end! pic.twitter.com/sr8OnIF6He
Hamas terrorist forces 12 year old hostage Yagil Yaakov to wave for the camera as he departs captivity and heads back to Israel.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) November 27, 2023
The 12 year old looks exasperated and shrugs after being forced to perform for the propaganda video.
pic.twitter.com/8czXCMjEiy
Israeli troops clash with Palestinians in Tubas: local media
Israeli forces are clashing with Palestinians in Tubas, a city in the West Bank, local media reported. The IDF reportedly fired an anti-tank missile at a house and arrested a wanted suspect from the residence.
Clashes ongoing between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the West Bank city of Tubas this morning. IDF forces reportedly besiege a house and arrest a wanted suspect, after firing an anti-tank missile at the house. pic.twitter.com/6KaR2w41st
— Ariel Oseran (@ariel_oseran) November 28, 2023
Bibas family, including 10-month old baby, handed over to another group: IDF
The Bibas family, which includes 10-month-old Kfir, were abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz, but have been handed over to another Palestinian faction, IDF spokesperson for Arab media Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee said in a Google-translated post.
Adraee said the family of four, Yarden, 34, his wife Shiri, 32, and 4-year-old Ariel, were being held somewhere in the Khan Yunis area.
Freed hostages start sharing their experiences in Hamas captivity
Merar Raviv, whose three relatives were held hostage by Hamas since Oct. 7 and were released Friday, said her abducted loved ones were fed irregularly and mainly had rice and bread for food. They also slept on rows of chairs pushed together and at times had to wait hours before being allowed to use the bathroom.
Doctors have warned that being held captive takes a massive psychological toll on victims. The Israeli government has offered counseling and other forms of support for released hostages.
Israeli army to hold military exercise amid ceasefire
Israeli troops will hold a military exercise at the Binyamin Bridge area "in order to maintain the alertness and competence of the forces," the IDF said in a Google-translated post Tuesday.
The IDF said "a lively movement of the security forces" should be expected in the said area during the exercise, which will end sometime in the afternoon.
Loved ones of released siblings call for the release of the children's father
Ido Dan, a relative of Sahar Kalderon, 16, and her brother Erez, 12, who were freed by Hamas Monday, called for the release of the children's father, Ofer, who remains captive in Gaza.
Ido Dan, a relative of Hadas Kalderon, whose 16-year-old daughter Sahar and 12-year-old son Erez were released from #Hamas captivity Tuesday night, called for the return of all hostages, including their father, Ofer, who is still hostage in #Gaza pic.twitter.com/fQI24rwu3T
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) November 28, 2023
He said the family understands that it was the "beginning of a difficult rehabilitation process for Sahar and Erez, who are still young and have been through an unbearable experience."
Dan also called for the release of all the remaining hostages who are being held in Gaza by Hamas and other militant groups.
German ambassador to Israel expresses joy for release of Yaacov brothers
Germany's ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert said he was "overjoyed" to know that brothers Or and Yagil Yaacov have been freed by Hamas and are now reunited with their mother. He also reminded the world to not forget that the brothers' father, Yair, remains in Hamas captivity.
Or and Yagil were among 11 hostages released Monday.
The moment we waited for so much. Or & Yagil Yaacov, German-Israeli brothers, hand in hand and on their way to freedom after the terrorists had cruelly separated them for 52 days. I am overjoyed for them and their mother. Let nobody forget: their father is still a Hamas hostage. pic.twitter.com/yWjbM5byVQ
— Steffen Seibert (@GerAmbTLV) November 28, 2023
Biden reiterates two-state solution 'only way' for long-term peace
Biden on Tuesday reiterated that "a two-state solution is the only way to guarantee the long-term security of both the Israeli and Palestinian people."
A two-state solution is the only way to guarantee the long-term security of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 28, 2023
To make sure Israelis and Palestinians alike live in equal measure of freedom and dignity, we will not give up on working towards that goal.
His comments came as the two sides agreed on a two-day extension to the four-day ceasefire that included the release of dozens of hostages being held by Hamas.
Hamas expected to make greater demands for soldiers' release
Hamas is "likely" to up its demands for the release of Israeli soldiers even if the ceasefire gets extended enough to get more than 150 other hostages freed, the Associated Press reported.
Under the four-day truce agreement, women and children have been freed by the terror group in exchange of a greater number of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. It is unclear if the two-day extension of the ceasefire deal will see male hostages released.
Israeli army continues monitoring operations in Gaza
The Israeli army continues its patrolling operations in Gaza as the ceasefire has been extended for another two days, according to photos posted by the IDF on X.
תמונות של כוחות צה״ל ברצועת עזה: pic.twitter.com/qS3JsRpM3q
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) November 28, 2023
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) November 28, 2023
84-year-old hostage freed by Hamas 'denied lifesaving medication' by Hamas: IDF
Elma Avraham, 84, who was among the hostages released by Hamas over the course of the four-day ceasefire, was "kept in a harsh condition" and "denied lifesaving medication," according to IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
"Elma was in Hamas captivity for 51 days and nights. She was kept in a harsh condition. She was denied lifesaving medication. She was not visited by the Red Cross."
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 27, 2023
A message for the @ICRC from IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari: pic.twitter.com/HskeMRY0xD
Avraham was "in a critical condition" upon her release, he added, noting that while she is now being given the medical attention she needed since she was abducted on Oct. 7, "who's taking care of other hostages in Gaza?"
Hagari went on to call on all international groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) "to use every tool at their disposal" to gain access to all the hostages remaining in the enclave and ensure that they receive the appropriate medical care.
11 hostages freed Monday in stable condition
All of the hostages released by Hamas on Monday are in stable condition, the Ichilov Hospital said, as per local media. "This is an exciting and complex night at the same time," said Dr. Ram Sagi from the Israeli Health Ministry.
The hostages were flown to Ichilov Hospital by military helicopters where they received "medical and psychological treatment as needed."
Majority of released hostages Monday were children
The Israeli government released photos of the 11 hostages released by Hamas Monday, revealing that majority of them were children, including 3-year-old twins Ema and Yuli Cunio.
Welcome home 💙
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) November 27, 2023
We won’t stop until all of our loved ones are home.#BringThemAllHomeNow pic.twitter.com/umOmSBw19r
Freed hostages reach Tel Aviv
The 11 hostages who were freed by Hamas on Monday have reached Tel Aviv, multiple outlets reported. The freed hostages have been reunited with their loved ones, as shown in a photo posted by Netanyahu's office wherein released hostage Eitan Yahalomi was met by his mother upon his return.
Redemption of Hostages: Eitan Yahalomi is reunited with his mother upon his return tonight, at the Kerem Shalom meeting point.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 27, 2023
Photo: IDF Spokesperson. pic.twitter.com/D7KD4okFYF
8 trucks carrying cooking gas, fuel reach UN groups
Eight containers carrying cooking gas and fuel have been delivered to UN humanitarian groups in the Gaza Strip, the IDF said Monday. The deliveries were made as part of the truce agreement with Hamas.
Aside from the separate fuel and gas trucks, 200 other humanitarian aid trucks carrying food, medical supplies and other necessities reached international aid organizations across the enclave Monday.
8 containers carrying diesel fuel and cooking gas were transferred from Egypt to UN humanitarian aid organizations in Gaza, as part of the pause and the hostage-release framework reached with the U.S. through the mediation of Qatar and Egypt.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 27, 2023
The fuel and cooking gas are… pic.twitter.com/g2Smmha3H4
Netanyahu meets Steinmeier
Netanyahu met with Germany's Steinmeier Monday and commended the German president "for visiting the country and for being a true friend of Israel."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, at his Knesset office, with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and commended him for visiting the country and for being a true friend of Israel. pic.twitter.com/QIuaWgKpYF
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 27, 2023
Before meeting Netanyahu, Steinmeier visited Kibbutz Be'eri with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Kibbutz Be'eri was one of several settlements that Hamas operatives ransacked on Oct. 7. Germany has also announced a $7.6 million donation to help rebuild the devastated kibbutz.
Together with the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke, we visited Kibbutz Be’eri, which became a symbol of the terrible and unimaginable destruction of the brutal massacre by Hamas. In a tour amidst the remains of houses, the ruins of the art gallery… pic.twitter.com/6JkUPIMw2k
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) November 27, 2023
10 hostages to be freed Tuesday
A total of 10 hostages will be freed Tuesday after Hamas forwarded the list of abductees slated for release on the first day of the ceasefire's extension. The families of the hostages have been informed, Haaretz reported.
White House does not believe Hamas deliberately held back releasing 2 Americans
Two American women, who were initially believed to be among the 50 hostages Hamas will release as part of the four-day ceasefire agreement, were not among the abductees freed Monday.
The White House said it would not conclude at this point that Hamas "intentionally" held back the release of the two American citizens, CNN reported, citing an unnamed senior Biden administration official.
11 hostages, 33 Palestinians freed Monday
Hamas released a total of 11 hostages Monday, Netanyahu's office confirmed, bringing the total number of freed hostages to 69 — mostly women and children. "Their families have been updated by the responsible officials," the Prime Minister's office wrote on X.
The Government of Israel embraces our 11 citizens who were held hostage who returned to Israeli territory today (Monday, 27 November 2023). Their families have been updated by the responsible officials that they have returned to the country.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 27, 2023
Israel, on the other hand, freed 33 Palestinians who were detained in Israeli prisons, multiple outlets reported, citing the Israel Prison Service. The detainees were from prisons in Megiddo, Ktzi'ot, Damon, Ramon and Ofer. As of Monday, Israel has freed 150 detained Palestinians.
Israel, Hamas agree to extend ceasefire
The parties have agreed to extend their truce for two more days, Majed Al Ansari, official spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said in a post on X Monday.
The State of Qatar announces, as part of the ongoing mediation, an agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian pause for an additional two days in the Gaza Strip.
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) November 27, 2023
Al Ansari's confirmation came following reports that Egypt and Qatar were exerting all efforts to reach an agreement for the truce to be extended even with reported disagreements regarding Monday's hostage and prisoner lists.
