GAZA/ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER - In a significant development on the first day of the Israel-Hamas truce, 24 hostages, including Israeli women and children as well as Thai farm workers, were released by Hamas fighters. The ceasefire marked the first time in seven weeks that guns fell silent across the Gaza Strip.

The hostages, consisting of 13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and a Filipino, were transferred out of Gaza and handed over to Egyptian authorities at the Rafah border crossing. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) played a crucial role in the release, with eight staff members accompanying the hostages in a four-car convoy.

Qatar, serving as a mediator for the truce, confirmed the release of hostages, emphasizing its commitment to returning all captives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed relief at the return of the first batch, highlighting the importance of reuniting families.

Under the terms of the four-day truce, 50 women and children hostages are set to be released, reciprocated by the release of 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails. The Israeli military conducted an initial medical assessment of the released hostages before facilitating their reunification with families in Israeli hospitals.

While the truce temporarily halted combat between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters, both sides accused each other of sporadic violations. The ceasefire provided a brief respite for civilians in Gaza, with displaced families cautiously returning to homes amid the rubble.

Hamas confirmed a cessation of hostilities, but its spokesperson, Abu Ubaida, characterized it as a "temporary truce" and called for an escalation in confrontations across all resistance fronts, including the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant echoed a similar sentiment, anticipating a short pause before a resumption of intense fighting.

The conflict, sparked by Hamas crossing the border into southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Israel's assault on Gaza, with extensive bombings, has led to approximately 14,000 Gazan casualties, including a significant percentage of children, according to Palestinian health authorities. As the truce unfolds, international observers express hope for a lasting cessation of hostilities to prevent further civilian suffering.