Hamas frees second group of Israeli, Thai hostages in truce - The Straits Times

GAZA/JERUSALEM – Thirteen Israeli and four Thai nationals arrived in Israel on Nov 26 in the second release of hostages from Hamas captivity in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in a deal briefly endangered by a dispute about aid delivery into Gaza.

Although overcome by the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, the dispute that threatened the truce to free captives underscored the fragility of the pact to swop 50 hostages held by the Palestinian militant groups and 150 prisoners in Israeli jails.

Television footage showed hostages on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing after leaving Gaza, as Hamas handed over the captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) late on Nov 25.

Six of the 13 Israelis released were women and seven were children and teenagers. The youngest was three-year-old Yahel Shoham, freed with her mother and brother, although her father remains a hostage.

“The released hostages are on their way to hospitals in Israel, where they will reunite with their families,” the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

Israel released 39 Palestinians – six women and 33 minors – from two prisons, the Palestinian news agency Wafa said.

Some of the Palestinians arrived at Al-Bireh Municipality Square in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where thousands of citizens were waiting for them, a Reuters witness said.

A Palestinian official familiar with the diplomatic moves said Hamas would continue with the truce, the first halt in fighting since Hamas fighters rampaged through southern Israel on Oct 7, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.

In response to that attack, Israel has vowed to destroy the Hamas militants who run Gaza, raining bombs and shells on the enclave and launching a ground offensive in the north.

To date, some 14,800 people, roughly 40 per cent of them children, have been killed, the Palestinian health authorities said on Nov 25.

The Nov 25 swop follows the previous day’s initial release of 13 other Israeli hostages, including children and the elderly, by Hamas in return for the release of 39 Palestinian women and youth from Israeli prisons.

Hamas on Nov 24 also released a Philippine national and 10 Thai farm workers.

The four Thais released on Nov 25 “want a shower and to contact their relatives”, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said a day later on social media platform X, adding that all were safe and showed few ill effects.

Eighteen Thais remain captive, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said on Nov 26 in a tally reflecting two abductions that had previously been unknown.

“I’m so happy, I’m so glad, I can’t describe my feelings at all,” Madam Thongkoon Onkaew told Reuters by telephone after news of the release of her 26-year-old son Natthaporn Onkaew, the family’s sole breadwinner.

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2023-11-25 23:34:00Z
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Malaysian Opposition Leader Scraps Plan to Step Down From Party - Bloomberg

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1. Malaysian Opposition Leader Scraps Plan to Step Down From Party  Bloomberg
2. Malaysian opposition leader Muhyiddin makes U-turn on stepping down as party president  The Straits Times
3. Malaysian opposition leader makes U-turn on stepping down as party president  Reuters
4. Muhyiddin was only testing the waters, say analysts  Free Malaysia Today
5. Muhyiddin is at a 'dead end', not PMX, says PKR Youth chief  The Star Online
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2023-11-26 03:22:09Z
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Russia launches 'record' 75 drones on Ukraine - CNA

KYIV: Ukraine said on Saturday (Nov 25) it had downed 74 out of 75 drones Russia launched at it overnight, in what it said was the biggest such attack since the start of the invasion.

The Ukrainian army said Russia had launched a "record number" of Iranian-made Shahed drones, the majority of which targeted Kyiv, causing power cuts as temperatures dipped below freezing.

The drone attack came as Ukraine marked Holodomor Remembrance Day, commemorating the 1930s starvation of millions in Ukraine under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

"The enemy launched a record number of attack drones at Ukraine! The main direction of the attack is Kyiv," said the commander of Ukraine's air force, General Mykola Oleshchuk.

The air force said it had downed "74 out of 75" Shahed drones.

Kyiv authorities said five people - including an 11-year-old - were wounded in the capital, where the air raid lasted six hours.

Falling drone debris had sparked fires and damaged buildings across the city, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

AFP saw Kyiv residents clearing smashed windows and other damage in the city's Dniprovsky district, with ambulances parked nearby.

One of the buildings that was damaged housed a nursery and another had part of its top floor destroyed.

Local resident Viktor Vasylenko said he had soothed his young daughter, who experienced "panic and nausea" during the long night-time attacks as they sheltered in a corridor.

The 38-year-old said his family always has "everything prepared" in case of such attacks but this was the first time one had hit so close.

"My wife thought that the house would collapse in half," he said.

Latvia's president, Edgars Rinkevics, on a visit to Kyiv during the attack, posted a photo of himself on social media inside a dark bomb shelter.

In a statement, the French foreign ministry condemned the drone barrage "with the utmost firmness".

More than 21 months into Moscow's offensive, fighting is most intense in the east of Ukraine and is now centred around the city of Avdiivka, which is nearly encircled by Russian forces.

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2023-11-25 21:12:56Z
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Hamas releases more Israeli hostages, after delay; Palestinians prisoners freed in truce - CNA

Before the delay to the latest hostage and prisoner exchange, Egypt, which controls the Rafah border crossing through which aid supplies have resumed into southern Gaza, said it had received "positive signals" from all parties over a possible truce extension.

Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), said in a statement that Cairo was holding extensive talks with all parties to reach an agreement which would mean "the release of more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails".

Israel has said the ceasefire could be extended if Hamas continues to release hostages at a rate of at least 10 per day. A Palestinian source has said up to 100 hostages could go free.

"FINALLY HOME"

A video released by Hamas showed masked militants with rifles, wearing military fatigues and the green headband of the militant group's armed wing, handing hostages over to the Red Cross on Friday.

In a Tel Aviv suburb, people applauded and held up Israeli flags as helicopters flew in the freed captives.

At Israel's Wolfson Medical Center, which received five elderly women hostages, Dr Shoshi Goldner said "there was no one in the room that could hold his feelings and stop crying".

"You are finally home in a safe place," Goldner said.

"Today we are excited about the returnees, but I want us not to forget all those who have not yet returned," Yael Adar, daughter-in-law of former hostage Yaffa Adar, 85, told Israel's Ynet news website.

Hamas is expected to free a total of 50 hostages during the truce in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners, under an agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

Egypt said that it had received positive feedback from both sides about the idea of extending the truce for a day or two and releasing more hostages and prisoners.

"It's only a start, but so far it's gone well," US President Joe Biden told reporters, adding "the chances are real" for extending the truce.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called for "a permanent ceasefire and a complete end to this aggression."

Roongarun Wichanguen, sister of 33-year-old Thai hostage Vetoon Phoome, expressed joy and disbelief that he is coming home. She thought he had been killed by Hamas.

On a video call, "his face was very happy, and he seemed okay," she said, adding he told her he "was taken care of very well. It looks like he just stayed in a house, not the tunnel."

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2023-11-25 18:15:00Z
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Second Israeli owned ship attacked by Iranian-backed forces in the Middle East - TradeWinds

A second Israeli-owned ship is reported to have come under military attack from suspected Iranian-backed forces in the last week.

The container ship CMA CGM Symi (built 2022) was hit by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean on Friday according to the AP news agency, citing a US defence official.

The Shahed-136 drone exploded when it hit the ship causing damage but no injuries to the crew, the report said.

The attacks come amid tension in the Middle East as Israel battles the Hamas militant group in Gaza. Fighting has been halted for four days to allow a swap of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel and the supply of humanitarian aid.

French line CMA CGM charters the Malta-flagged 15,294-teu CMA CGM Symi from Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, which is ultimately owned by Israeli shipowner and investor Idan Ofer.

CMA CGM said that as it was a chartered vessel it was passing requests for comment to its owner Eastern Pacific.

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“Eastern Pacific Shipping is aware of claims that a container ship under the company’s management was targeted in a possible security incident overnight on Friday, 24 November, following departure from the UAE,” the company’s crisis team said on Saturday morning.

“The vessel in question is currently sailing as planned. All crew are safe and well.”

Last weekend, the car carrier Galaxy Leader was hijacked after an audacious helicopter raid by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The ship is now at anchor off the Yemeni port of Hodeida. Its 25 crew are unharmed but are effectively held hostage.

The Galaxy Leader is operated by Japan’s NYK Line and ultimately owned by Israel’s Abraham ‘Rami’ Unger through his company Ray Car Carriers.

The attacks put ships ultimately owned by Israelis under “significant risk”, maritime security group Diaplous said on Saturday morning.

“All Israeli-affiliated merchant vessels, crossing the Indian Ocean are currently running a significant risk of maritime terrorism. Masters and the crew should remain extremely vigilant and notify naval warships in case of suspicious activity in the area,” Diaplous advised.

The CMA CGM Symi departed the Jebel Ali port in Dubai on Tuesday according to ship tracking data, although its AIS tracker appears to have been switched off since then. Ships are permitted to deactivate their AIS for their security in high-risk regions.

According to CMA CGM’s online voyage log the vessel is bound for the Westport Terminal at Port Klang in Malaysia and is due on December 1.

The ship has protection and indemnity cover with NorthStandard P&I and is financed by China’s Bank of Communications Financial Leasing.

Almost exactly a year ago, an Iranian drone attack blew a hole in the hull of the 50,000-dwt product tanker Pacific Zircon (built 2013). No crew were injured in the attack on the Eastern Pacific Shipping vessel.

In 2021, a product tanker ultimately owned by Idan Ofer’s brother Eyal was hit by a drone that killed the ship’s captain and a UK security guard.

In a separate incident, the British military agency that provides security alerts to shipping said it had “been made aware of an entity declaring itself to be Yemeni authorities ordering a vessel to alter course”.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations advisory note added: “Vessels in the vicinity are advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”

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2023-11-25 11:34:00Z
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Israel receives list of hostages to be freed by Hamas on Nov 25 - The Straits Times

GAZA/JERUSALEM - Israel has received a list of hostages set to be freed from Gaza on Nov 25 by Palestinian militant group Hamas, officials said, following the release of 24 hostages during the first day of a planned four-day truce on Nov 24.

Israeli security officials were reviewing the list, said a statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government promised to work toward the release of all hostages taken by Hamas in an attack on Israel on Oct 7.

The released hostages, including Israeli women and children and Thai farm workers, were transferred from Gaza and handed over to Egyptian authorities at the Rafah border crossing, along with eight staff the International Committee of the Red Cross in a four-car convoy, the organisation said.

They were then taken to Israel for medical checks and reunions with relatives.

Qatar, which acted as mediator for the truce deal, said 13 Israelis had been released, some with dual nationality, as well as 10 Thais and a Philippine national - farm workers employed in southern Israel when they were taken hostage.

Thirty-nine Palestinian women and children detainees were released from Israeli jails.

The freed Israeli hostages freed included four children accompanied by four family members, and five elderly women.

US President Joe Biden said there was a real chance of extending the truce and that the pause in fighting was a critical opportunity to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. The pause in fighting was the first break in the war that erupted seven weeks ago.

Mr Biden declined to speculate about how long the Israel-Hamas war would last. Asked at a press conference what his expectations were, Mr Biden said Israel's goal of eliminating Hamas was a legitimate but difficult mission.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that 196 trucks of humanitarian aid, including food, water and medical supplies, were delivered through the Rafah crossing on Nov 24, the biggest aid convoy into Gaza since Hamas' assault on Israel and Israeli bombardment of the territory in retaliation.

About 1,759 trucks have entered the enclave since Oct 21, it said.

Mixed emotions in Israel

The families of the hostages expressed mixed emotions, fearing for those left behind.

"I'm excited for the families who today are going to hug their loved ones," Ms Shelly Shem Tov, the mother of Omer Shem Tov, 21, said in an interview with Israel's Channel 12.

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2023-11-24 23:59:16Z
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'I'm not dead,' Thai hostage says after 'miracle' release in Gaza - CNA

The freed Thai hostages will return home after 48 hours in hospital, Thailand’s foreign ministry said in a statement. Four of them had not previously been confirmed by Israel to be in captivity.

"I'm very happy to hear about the confirmation of the release of 10 Thai workers who are being treated at Shamir Medical Center in Israel under the coordinated effort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on social media.

He called for the release of the remaining "innocent Thai hostages as soon as possible".

About 30,000 Thai nationals work in Israel, forming one of its largest groups of migrant workers, many in agriculture.

Vetoon told his family he had cried out "Thailand, Thailand!" when militants approached on Oct 7, and was captured and held in tunnels, though not injured or tortured, Roongarun recounted. He was given food and water and did not appear to have lost weight, she said.

His friends believed he had died, but the family followed the news "without sleeping", hoping he had been taken hostage.

"I saw the news hostages would be released, and then someone sent a photo," Roongarun said. "It was clearly my little brother."

The released captives included the only Thai woman known to be held by Hamas, a factory worker and mother from an impoverished rural area that many leave to seek opportunities abroad.

Photographs from the Thai foreign ministry showed them meeting doctors at a medical centre in Israel.

A source briefed on the negotiations said the release was unrelated to the truce deal with Israel and followed a separate track of talks with Hamas mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

The ministry thanked the governments of Egypt, Iran, Israel, Malaysia, Qatar and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as others involved in the "immense efforts" that led to the release.

Earlier reports had said about a dozen Thais had been released.

Thongkoon Onkaew told Reuters that the authorities said her son, Natthaporn Onkaew, a 26-year-old farm worker, was not among the first group released. But, she said, "I’m waiting for good news."

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2023-11-25 08:27:06Z
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