The Times of Israel is liveblogging Monday’s events as they unfold.
Thailand confirms three hostages freed from Gaza
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry confirms that three nationals held captive in Gaza have been released.
Pictures show the group being checked out at an Israeli hospital
“The group is now at the designated medical center where the Royal Thai Embassy officials are on hand to contact their families,” the Thai Foreign Ministry says in a statement. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warmly congratulates the recently released hostages and their families and thanks all parties involved in the efforts towards this latest release.”
It says efforts are ongoing to free another 15 Thais held in Gaza, while 17 nationals already released are set to soon return to Thailand.
Hospital says kids, mothers released from Gaza ‘stable’
Families are being reunited and freed hostages are being checked out by medical staff after 17 people, including nine children, were released from Gaza earlier in the evening.
The head of Schnieder Children’s Hospital says nine children and two mothers were brought to the facility in Petah Tikva. “The physical condition of the nine children and two mothers is stable,” says Dr. Efrat Bron-Harlev. She says they will also undergo psychological assessments.
Among the freed hostages at Schnieder are four members of the Almog-Goldstein family: mother Chen and young children Gal, 9, and Tal, 11, as well as daughter Agam, 17. Their father, Nadav, and their older sister, Yam, were killed during Hamas’s October 7 assault on southern Israel.
“The Almog-Goldstein family is again among us in Israel,” the kids’ aunt Inbar Goldstein tells Channel 12 news. “They are okay, in good condition and they are smiling. They know about the enormous tragedy that befell their family on that same black Shabbat. Now they will take time for a deep breath, to truly smile, and to start to pick up the pieces and continue the campaign until all the hostages are returned healthy and whole.”
Israeli-linked tanker attacked near Yemen freed by American sailors
US officials tell Reuters that an Israeli-linked tanker seized by Yemeni rebels has been freed by a US warship and is now safe, the news agency reports.
One US official says the USS Mason responded to the ship’s distress call and freed the tanker.
They do not say who the USZ believes is behind the attack, which has not been claimed.
A US defense official earlier said that it appeared “an unknown number of unidentified armed individuals” seized the Liberian-flagged Central Park, managed by Zodiac Maritime, part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group.
“US and coalition forces are in the vicinity and we are closely monitoring the situation,” the official said.
Private intelligence firm Ambrey said before that it appeared that “US naval forces are engaged in the situation and have asked vessels to stay clear of the area.”