Hamas hands 13 Israeli hostages, four foreign nationals to Red Cross

Hamas handed over 13 Israeli hostages and four foreigners to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Saturday night, Qatar's foreign ministry said, after a brief disruption earlier to the deal to free captives was overcome with the mediation of Qatar and Egypt.

The four foreigners released were believed to be Thai nationals, according to Reuters.

Earlier reports had said that seven foreign nationals had been released.

The transfer - which had been delayed after Hamas accused Israel of violating the truce agreement - took place "in the context of the humanitarian pause", the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement.

"13 Israelis and 4 foreigners were received by ICRC and on their way to Rafah," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al Ansari, said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.