Live
By Farah Najjar, Usaid Siddiqui and Mersiha Gadzo
Published On 25 Nov 2023
  • Israeli prison authorities say a second batch of 39 Palestinians have been released after 13 Israeli hostages and four foreigners were released by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.
  • The transfer on the second day of four-day truce was delayed for hours over Hamas allegations that Israel was violating truce deal.
25 Nov 2023 - 22:54
 (22:54 GMT)

Thanks for joining us

This live page is now closed. Follow the latest on the Israel-Gaza war on our new live page here.

To read more about the captives released on the second day of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas, read our story here.

For a story detailing the destruction at the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza’s north following Israeli raids and a days-long siege, read our story here.

“As genocide rages, doctors must choose: care or collaborationism”, write Eric Reinhart and Bram Wispelwey. Read their thoughts in this opinion piece.

25 Nov 2023 - 22:40
 (22:40 GMT)

Here’s what happened today

We will soon be closing this live page. Here’s a recap of Saturday’s key events:

  • The Israeli army says 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals have arrived in Israel – the second group of captives released by Hamas in Gaza as part of a four-day truce agreement.
  • The transfer was delayed for hours over Hamas’s claims that Israel was violating the truce deal, including not allowing the flow of aid into northern Gaza.
  • Hamas released a list of names of the second round of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released on Saturday night, which includes the names of six women and 33 male children.
  • Displaced Palestinians used the short pause in fighting to return to their homes, only to find utter destruction.
  • The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says the number of journalists and media workers killed between October 7 and November 25 stands at 57.
  • Iran said it helped broker the release of Thai nationals held in Gaza.
  • Israeli forces have killed 21-year-old Ammar Abu al-Wafa and 17-year-old Ahmad Abu al-Heija in Jenin in the occupied West Bank.
  • The UN said 221 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and illegal settlers in the West Bank since October 7, including 56 children.
  • Thousands protested in Israel to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the release of all captives held by Hamas in Gaza.
  • The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said one of its patrols was hit by Israeli gunfire in the vicinity of Aytaroun in southern Lebanon.
25 Nov 2023 - 22:20
 (22:20 GMT)

PRCS says ambulance ‘targeted’ near Ofer Prison

The Palestinian Red Crescent says one of its ambulances in the occupied West Bank was “targeted” near Ofer Prison.

The attack “resulted in the rear window shattering, and our team is safe”, the PCRS said in a post on X.

Dozens of Palestinians gathered outside the vicinity of Ofer awaiting the imminent release of the second round of Palestinian prisoners.

25 Nov 2023 - 22:14
 (22:14 GMT)

Six women, seven minors among Israeli hostages: PM’s office

The Israeli government has said six adult women and seven children and teenagers have been released by Hamas.

The hostages were released after spending 50 days in captivity, a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office said.

The Israeli military said the hostages have returned to Israeli territory.

25 Nov 2023 - 21:48
 (21:48 GMT)
Houthi

Israeli army says captives with Red Cross now in Egypt

Army spokesman Hagari says 13 Israeli captives and four Thai nationals are with the Red Cross and on their way to the border crossing known as Kerem Shalom, or Karam Abu Salem.

The convoy “returning to Israel” is making its way through Egyptian territory, he said.

25 Nov 2023 - 21:36
 (21:36 GMT)

Qatar says 13 Israeli captives, four foreigners handed over to Red Cross

Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says in a post on X that 13 Israelis and four foreign nationals have been handed over to the Red Cross.

Al Ansari said they were on their way to the Rafah border crossing.

Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, said the Israeli military confirmed “just moments ago” that Hamas handed over the captives to the Red Cross.

“They will then be handed over to the Israeli military. They will be taken to an airbase in southern Israel for an initial check, where they will then be flown to several different hospitals throughout the Tel Aviv area for additional medical and psychological checks,” she added.

Red Cross vehicles reportedly carrying captives released by Hamas across the Rafah border point in Gaza on the way to Egypt [Screengrab/AJE TV]
25 Nov 2023 - 21:11
 (21:11 GMT)
Houthi

Hamas says handed over 20 captives to the ICRC

Hamas’s armed wing says it handed over 13 Israeli captives and seven foreign nationals to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The ICRC is expected to take them through the Rafah border crossing between southern Gaza and Egypt before travelling to Israel.

25 Nov 2023 - 21:01
 (21:01 GMT)

PRCS ‘expresses deep concern’ for detained paramedic

The Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) says the whereabouts of Awni Khattab, the head of the Khan Younis Medical Centre, are “now unknown”.

Israeli forces arrested Khattab on Thursday, along with three paramedics and a companion of a wounded person who were later released.

They were involved in the evacuation of wounded and sick people from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City – which remains occupied by Israeli forces – to the enclave’s south.

“PRCS demand his immediate release along with other medical teams that are under arrest,” it said.

25 Nov 2023 - 20:50
 (20:50 GMT)

‘We are happy but our happiness is not complete’

Ammar Khalid Massarweh, whose grandson was taken seven months ago after he was injured by Israeli soldiers, says Palestinians had to pay a very high price for the release of their compatriots.

“It was paid with the blood of our people in Gaza,” said Massarweh, an ambulance driver. “This is an incomplete joy that we are feeling right now.”

“I hope that all the prisons will be empty and all our sons will be freed,” he told Al Jazeera.

Ammar Khalid Massarweh (R) speaking to Al Jazeera. [Screengrab/AJE TV]
25 Nov 2023 - 20:45
 (20:45 GMT)

INSIDE STORY: Is a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine still possible?

Is now really the best time to restart discussions about the elusive two-state solution for Israel and Palestine?

International calls have begun to grow louder to pursue this. But what are the red lines for both sides and what would a return to the 1967 borders look like in reality?

Watch Saturday’s episode of Inside Story here:

25 Nov 2023 - 20:30
 (20:30 GMT)

Israeli military says captive-release effort under way

Work on releasing a second group of Israeli and foreign captives from Gaza is going ahead, says Israel’s military spokesman Daniel Hagari.

He also said the Israeli government is committed to complying with the truce agreement with Hamas but there were many parties and factors involved. “And every day brings with it its complexities,” he said.

Hagari also said:

  • There has been remarkable progress in efforts to release the captives
  • We will not report any details of the exchange until the captives are released
  • We are speaking to those who were released yesterday [Friday] but will not reveal what we have learned
25 Nov 2023 - 20:25
 (20:25 GMT)

‘I’ll be happy to see him, hug him’: Palestinian awaiting grandson’s release

Fawzi Sawalmeh is eager to see his grandson Mohammed, who is among the second round of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released later on Saturday night.

The 87-year-old, standing outside Ofer prison in Beitunia in the occupied West Bank, said he was “very happy” to see Mohammed’s name included in the list released by Hamas a short while ago.

“It was very good news. We were all happy – myself, his mother, his siblings – and we wanted to come here and wait for him and welcome him,” Sawalmeh told Al Jazeera. “I’ll be so happy to see him and hug him.”

Israeli forces arrested Mohammed seven months ago when he was “at a convenience store trying to buy a few things”, Sawalmeh said.

He said his grandson was placed in administrative detention – meaning he was held without charge or trial. He was then sentenced in an administrative court.

Fawzi Sawalmeh speaks to Al Jazeera TV from Beitunia in the occupied West Bank near Ofer Prison [Screengrab/AJE TV]
25 Nov 2023 - 20:05
 (20:05 GMT)

Qatar’s Emir receives call from Biden over Israel-Hamas truce deal

The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has received a phone call from US President Joe Biden over the developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, says a statement by the Emiri Diwan.

The two leaders focused on the implementation of the humanitarian truce agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the joint international efforts to de-escalate tensions, protect civilian lives, and increase the flow of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza, the statement said.

Qatar, along with Egypt, led efforts to ensure the continuation of the truce agreement between Hamas and Israel that began on Friday.

25 Nov 2023 - 20:00
 (20:00 GMT)

Qatar expresses ‘appreciation’ for mediating partners

Qatar has reiterated its appreciation for the efforts of its “mediation partners” in resolving hours-long deadlock over the exchange of hostages between Hamas and Israel.

In a post on X, Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed “appreciation” for Egypt and the United States, whose efforts helped “remove obstacles” to implement the terms of the truce agreement for Saturday.

25 Nov 2023 - 19:33
 (19:33 GMT)

57 journalists, media workers killed since October 7: CPJ

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says the number of journalists and media workers killed between October 7 and November 25 stood at 57.

Here’s a breakdown of that death toll:

  • 50 Palestinians
  • Four Israelis
  • Three Lebanese

The watchdog added that at least 11 journalists were injured, three are missing and 19 arrested.

25 Nov 2023 - 19:25
 (19:25 GMT)

Hamas releases list of second round of Palestinian prisoners to be freed

Hamas has released the long-awaited list of the second round of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released later on Saturday night.

The list includes the names of six women and 33 male children, Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed in a post on X.

Among the Israeli captives set to be released from Gaza as part of the truce deal are eight children, five women, and seven foreign nationals, he added.

25 Nov 2023 - 19:15
 (19:15 GMT)

Israeli army ‘absolutely vicious’ since October 7: Palestinian official

Mustafa Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, says since October 7, the Israeli army has become “absolutely vicious”.

“They’ve always been horrible, but they’ve become much more aggressive than anytime before,” Barghouti said, commenting on the latest string of Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

“It looks like … every Israeli soldier, every Israeli illegal settler, and every Israeli policeman thinks that they have a green light to kill and shoot, and at least harass Palestinians,” Barghouti told Al Jazeera.

“We’ve been receiving reports about very serious injuries and very serious attacks by the settlers on Palestinian communities,” he said.

When asked about the delay in the release of captives and Palestinian prisoners, Barghouti said, “Israelis always play these games. Even when you conclude an agreement with them, they try to play games to violate it and, and change it in the way they want.”

25 Nov 2023 - 19:10
 (19:10 GMT)

Iran says it helped broker release of Thai nationals

Tehran says “the issue of Thai prisoners was jointly pursued by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar”.

“A list of names of these prisoners was given to Hamas officials to review and assist with the issue from a humanitarian perspective,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani told the official IRNA news agency.

The Thai foreign ministry confirmed the release on Saturday, saying the 10 individuals – nine men and one woman – were taken to Israel via Egypt.

It added that roughly 20 Thais are among the estimated 215 people still held hostage in Gaza.

25 Nov 2023 - 18:56
 (18:56 GMT)
Houthi

Exchange deal to resume, Qatar says

Qatar says 39 Palestinians and 13 Israeli captives will be released in addition to seven foreigners after Hamas delayed the handover, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the truce agreement.

Spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says “the obstacles were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian” mediation and the exchange is likely to happen on Saturday night.

25 Nov 2023 - 18:30
 (18:30 GMT)

Israeli forces kill two Palestinians in Jenin

By Ayman Nobani

Reporting from Nablus, occupied West Bank

Israeli forces have killed Ammar Abu al-Wafa, 21, and 17-year-old Ahmad Abu al-Heija in Jenin in occupied West Bank, Dr Fawaz Hamad, head of al-Razi Hospital, told Al Jazeera.

Hamad said at least four other Palestinians were injured, one of them critically.

Abu al-Heija succumbed to his wounds after he was shot by a live round to the head, Hamad said.

“Al-Razi is currently the only hospital the injured can be evacuated to in all of Jenin because the four other hospitals are surrounded by the Israeli military, which is disrupting the movement of ambulances,” Hamad told Al Jazeera.