Hope at last after Gaza hostage release

JOY AS 48 DAYS IN CAPTIVITY IS OVER

- Mark Reynolds

OVERJOYED relatives were last night reunited with their loved ones after 13 Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas were released from their hell Gaza.

Ten Thai captives and one Filipino hostage were also set free as a "goodwill gesture" but not as part of the same deal which will see a four-day halt in hostilities.

All 24, including the youngest aged two, are believed to have been held in a labyrinth of underground tunnels beneath the Palestinian territory for nearly 50 days.

Yesterday they were taken across the Rafah Crossing on the Egyptian border in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners handed over to the Red Cross by Israel.

At the same time, a four-day ceasefire came into force at 7am local time. The Israeli military welcomed the freed hostages - all women and children – providing food, clean clothing, blankets, toys and medical treatment.

Some were seen waving from Red Cross vehicles as they crossed into Egypt.

The Israeli captives set free were later identified as Daniele Aloni, 44, and her daughter, Emilia, six, Margalit Mozes, 78, Adina Moshe, 72, Channah Peri, 79, Yafa Adar, 85, Hanna Katzir, 77, Ohad Mundar, nine, his mother Keren Mundar, 54, and grandmother Ruth Mundar, 78. The final four were Doron Katz Asher, 34, and her daughters Raz, four, and Aviv, two.