Macron on Gaza Hostage Release: You Can Rely on Our Determination

 French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed on Friday the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, assuring the families of the French hostages of his "determination" to secure their release.

The initial group of hostages released by Hamas did not include any French nationals.

Macron stated via "X": "I welcome the release of the first group of hostages. I am particularly thinking of the French hostages and their families. They can count on our determination."

The French President added, "We are working alongside mediators to secure the release of all of them." Earlier, the French Foreign Ministry emphasized in a statement that Paris was "working for the release of the French hostages within the framework of the ongoing agreement," stressing that the release of "all our citizens is an absolute priority for France, and we are tirelessly working to secure it."

The Foreign Ministry also welcomed the "mediation efforts made by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross, which enabled this agreement to be reached."

Hamas handed over 24 hostages – 13 Israelis, 10 Thai, and one Filipino – to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza on Friday, according to Qatar, the primary mediator in the conflict, as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club informed AFP that 39 Palestinians, including women and children, were released from Israeli prisons.

This ceasefire, which began in Gaza on Friday, is the first in 7 weeks after the intense Israeli bombardment of the enclave since October 7.