An initial group of 13 hostages have been released, the Israeli prime minister's office says, as a truce between Israel and Hamas — the first in weeks of fighting — appears to be holding. Separately, 12 Thai nationals who were held by Hamas have also been released, Thailand's prime minister said Friday. An Israeli official said a total of 39 Palestinian prisoners will be freed in return on Friday. A total of 50 hostages to be freed over the four-day pause in flighting, while Palestinian prisoners are also due to be released in waves. Aid has begun arriving as part of the truce, with much-needed fuel entering from Egypt. — CNN
