Nine-year-old Ohad Munder, along with his mother and grandmother, was released from Hamas’ captivity after 49 days on the first day of a planned four-day truce and prisoner exchange. Israel Defense Forces released a video showing Munder’s conversation with an Israel Air Force (IAF) helicopter pilot during his first moments of freedom. In the video, Munder asked the pilot where they were flying, to which the pilot replied that they were going to a hospital. Munder also mentioned that he had never been on an army plane before. While Munder, his mother, and grandmother were released, his grandfather remained in captivity in Gaza. Hamas also released 13 Israeli hostages, including young children and elderly women. In return, Hamas received three Thai nationals and a person with Russian citizenship who were held in the Gaza Strip. This four-day truce marks the first pause in fighting since Hamas’ attack on October 7, which resulted in the death of about 1,200 people. Israel has been determined to “crush” Hamas and has conducted airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in response. Gaza health authorities report that approximately 14,800 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced during the Israeli offensive.
Watch Israeli Boy Safely Rescued in Helicopter After Hamas Releases Him
