Hamas frees first batch of hostages under truce, including 13 Israelis, officials and media say
Rafah (Gaza Strip), Nov 24: Hamas on Friday released a group of hostages held captive in Gaza for weeks, including 13 Israelis, according to officials and media reports, the first stage in a swap for Palestinians prisoners in Israel under a four-day cease-fire deal.
The agreement brought the first respite for beleaguered residents of Gaza and opened the way for sorely needed aid to flow in. It was also a moment of hope for families in Israel and elsewhere worried about loved ones taken captive during Hamas' October 7 attack, which triggered the war. Also freed were 12 Thai citizens, their prime minister said.
There were no reports of fighting in the hours after the truce began. Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians saw quiet after seven weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment, which has killed thousands, flattened vast swaths of the territory and driven three-quarters of the population from their homes. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well.
The release of the first group of Israeli hostages was to be followed in the evening by the freeing of 39 Palestinian prisoners 24 women, including some convicted of attempted murder for attacks on Israeli forces, and 15 teenagers jailed for offences like throwing stones.
The truce raised hopes of eventually winding down the conflict, which has fuelled a surge of violence in the occupied West Bank and stirred fears of a wider conflagration across the Middle East.
Israel, however, has said it is determined to resume its massive offensive once the cease-fire ends.
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Karnataka: Three killed, one injured in car-bus collision
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): Three persons were killed and another seriously injured in a collision between a car and a KSRTC bus on Friday in Dakshina Kannada district, police said.
The accident occurred near Shiradi Ghat in Uppinangady police station limits in Puttur taluk of this district, they said.
Police said the accident occurred around 3.30 pm when a car bearing Karnataka registration number, which was travelling from Hassan towards Mangaluru, collided with a KSRTC bus that was on its way from Dharmasthala to Tirupati.
The deceased have been identified as Chandrashekhar (57), Janardhan Gowda (58) and Shridhar Gowda (61), who were travelling in the car.
Another passenger in the car, Suresh (58) from Ujire, sustained serious injuries in the accident and has been admitted to A J Hospital in Mangaluru for treatment.
Uppinangady police have registered a case and further investigation is under way.
