Icrc staff take the released to Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip.
A temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) came into effect on Tuesday (local time), and a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip. In the afternoon, the two sides began the process of handing over the first batch of detainees, with Hamas releasing 24 hostages and Israel releasing 39 Palestinians. US President Joe Biden said it was only a "start" and there was an opportunity to extend the ceasefire.
Biden welcomed the release of the first hostages held in the Gaza Strip, saying, "This is only a beginning, but so far, it is going well." He said there was a real chance that the temporary ceasefire could be extended for a few more days to allow the release of more than 50 hostages. Asked what he expected from Hamas, Biden said, "I don't trust Hamas to do the right thing." I only believe that Hamas will respond to the pressure." He added, "I believe one of the reasons Hamas is attacking is because they know that we are working closely with the Saudis and other countries in the region to bring peace to the region."
A convoy carrying Israeli detainees entered Israel.
On November 24, Belgian Prime Minister de Crowe and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez condemned Israel's destruction in the Gaza Strip as "unacceptable" and called for a permanent ceasefire. Israel's Foreign Ministry issued a statement ordering the ambassadors of the two countries to be summoned, accusing the heads of Belgium and Spain of supporting "terrorism."
A helicopter carrying the first group of people released by Hamas lands at a medical center in Petah Tikva, Israel.
The United Nations expanded the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip Tuesday morning, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, CCTV News reported. 200 trucks were sent to the Rafah crossing. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has unloaded 137 truckloads of goods at its reception points in the Gaza Strip, the largest humanitarian aid convoy since October 7. The United Nations has welcomed the release of 24 hostages held in Gaza and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
