Hamas on Saturday released a second group of Israeli and foreign civilians it had been holding hostage in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, after an hours-long unexpected delay set nerves on edge.
Israeli authorities said 13 Israelis and four Thai citizens had returned to Israel.
The joint announcement by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security service came after the prime minister’s office said in a statement that the government “embraces the 17 hostages that are returning home, 13 of our citizens and 4 Thai citizens”.
