BERLIN - Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Nov 24 that four Germans were among the 24 hostages released from captivity in Gaza, on the first day of a four-day truce in the war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

They were among the around 240 people abducted by Hamas gunmen who rampaged through southern Israel on Oct 7.

“I am so incredibly relieved that 24 hostages were just released from Gaza, among them four Germans, and that a father, after 49 days of hell, of unbelievable fear, can finally embrace again his two small daughters and his wife,” Ms Baerbock said, on the sidelines of a party conference of her Greens party.

“The release of all the remaining hostages, especially the Germans among them, remains a top priority,” she added.

The minister said the government also acknowledged the suffering of the people of Gaza. Northern parts of the enclave have been cut off from outside help for weeks, with one United Nations spokesperson describing it as “hell on earth”.

“The ceasefire must last as long as possible now to ensure the people of Gaza receive vital goods like medicine, food, water and aid,” Ms Baerbock said. REUTERS