Israel confirms more hostages handed over to the Red Cross: 14 Israelis, three Thai nationals are freed by Hamas

The Israeli military has confirmed more hostages have been handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross. 

Fourteen Israelis and three Thai nationals have been freed by the militant group. 

Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the IDF, wrote on X: 'According to the information provided by the Red Cross, the abductees, including 14 Israeli citizens and three foreign nationals, were handed over to them.' 

It is not known who will be released but White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said 'at least one American' is expected to be released during the hostage exchange. 

Hamas said they also exchanged a dual national Russian hostage in appreciation of the Kremlin's support of Moscow's position, but this remains unverified. 

Earlier today family members of Israeli hostages described how their relatives ate rice and pita and slept on plastic seats after being abducted by Hamas.

Hostages who were returned to Israel and reunited with their families on Friday night told their loved ones of how they were treated.

Keren Munder, her son and her grandmother were among those released after they were abducted from their relatives' home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Ms Munder told her cousin that the hostages mostly ate rice and pita and slept on rows of plastic seats - like the ones used in waiting rooms.

She also said they would knock on the door when they needed the bathroom, but sometimes had to wait an hour and a half before they could go.

Merav Raviv, cousin of Keren, said her aunt Ruthie and Keren's son Ohad were also taken, but their elderly uncle Avraham was taken separately.

The kidnapped family believed their frail uncle was murdered until Ms Raviv told them he had been taken hostage - but Keren's brother Roi had been killed, she said.

Mr Munder is not in good health, walks with a cane and has bad eyesight.

He was left behind by Hamas in the house as his wife, daughter and grandson were abducted.

Nine-year-old Irish girl Emily Hand was finally reunited with her devoted father after 50 days as a hostage of Hamas.

The youngster, who was initially feared to have been murdered by Hamas gunmen during their invasion of Israel, was filmed running into her father's arms.

Emily was snatched in her pyjamas on October 7, in which some 240 captives were taken back into Gaza. She had her ninth birthday while in captivity.

On Saturday night, she joined 20 other hostages who were released by Hamas during a four-day pause in the conflict. Her release came after a delay of several hours when Hamas accused Israel of failing to meet the terms of the agreement.

Emily's capture made headlines around the world after her emotional father, Thomas Hand, 63, initially said he hoped she had died in the October 7 invasion, rather than being in the hands of Hamas.

Since it was revealed she was in fact alive, Mr Hand has been campaigning tirelessly for her freedom.

Mr Hand later revealed she was 'broken' after her ordeal, but still in one piece. He also said he had been too scared to hug her tightly - but vowed to throw her the 'biggest birthday party ever'.

More to follow.