The Palestinian group "Hamas" announced that the release of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners was a "national success", reported Agence France-Presse, BTA reported.
"The release of the prisoners is a national success and an important stage in our struggle," Hamas said, calling the return of the prisoners "a victory on the path to complete liberation."
1,968 Palestinian detainees were released under the ceasefire agreement, which provides for an exchange of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, including 250 people "held for security reasons," many of whom were convicted of anti-Israeli attacks with victims, as well as 1,700 Palestinians arrested in Gaza since the start of the war in October 2023, reminds AFP.
The release of all living Israeli hostages is also a cause for great joy in Vienna. For Austrian politicians, this is a historic moment. Local media are reporting the politicians' statements, and Austrian radio and television are publishing parts of them, BTA writes.
“I share the immense joy of their families and friends at this historic moment“, wrote Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen on social networks. He expressed sympathy for the relatives of those who did not return alive. “The guns must remain silent, and vital aid must reach everyone in Gaza, who has been living in extremely precarious conditions for more than two years“, Van der Bellen continued.
Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker also stressed the significance of the event: “They were held captive by Hamas for 738 days. Now, finally, all the surviving hostages are free and the path from war to peace is paved.“Despite all the euphoria, however, we still have a long way to go in drawing up the peace plan, the Federal Chancellor continued.
In her post in Aix, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger referred in particular to the release of the hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Eviatar David, whose parents recently visited Austria. The two friends were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, from the Nova music festival. “Guy and Eviatar are free! Finally, the people of the region are given a perspective if we continue on the path of dialogue that we have taken! Peace and security for all people in Israel and Palestine!“, said the Foreign Minister.
For State Secretary Alexander Pröll, responsible for the fight against anti-Semitism, the return of the hostages is a moment of hope: “Now the time for healing must begin. For the hostages, their families and the entire region.“
For the foreign policy spokeswoman for the Austrian Social Democratic Party, Petra Bayer, this is a day that marks the beginning of a long process towards lasting peace: “After so much pain, sorrow and destruction, there is finally a glimmer of hope for the people of Israel and Palestine.“
Green leader Leonore Gewesler wishes the released hostages and their families security and reassurance: “This is the first and extremely important step. Now we hope for the next ones: the return of the bodies of the murdered hostages, help for the people of Gaza. Today we can and want to hope for long-term peace in the region.“
David Roeth, the Israeli ambassador to Austria and Israel's permanent representative in UN institutions in Vienna, expresses gratitude for Austria's support: “This is a day of hope and happiness for all of Israel! After many days, the last living hostages from Gaza are returning to the country.“