Israel releases 13 Gazans detained during the war

The move has drawn criticism from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has been pressing for answers on why detainees are released while Israeli captives remain in Hamas hands.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday released 13 Gazans who had been held in custody during the ongoing war, transferring them back into the Gaza Strip.

The detainees were returned through the International Committee of the Red Cross, which provided vehicles for the transfer.

The convoy brought the group to the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah.

The use of Red Cross vans resembled the process by which hostages have previously been returned from Gaza, though in this case the exchange involved detainees who had been under Israeli investigation rather than convicted terrorists.

Military officials have repeatedly explained that such releases take place once interrogations are completed and when security assessments conclude that continued detention is not required.

According to Israeli radio reporter Doron Kadosh, the IDF applies these reviews case by case to determine whether individuals still pose a threat.

The move has drawn criticism from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has been pressing for answers on why detainees are released while Israeli captives remain in Hamas hands.

The group sent appeals to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, though no formal response has yet been issued.

A video circulated on Sunday showing the 13 men crossing back into Gaza. The images suggested they were in stable condition after months in Israeli custody.

Some appeared to be in reasonably good health, with several looking even heavier than before their detention—contrasting with the narrative often advanced by Hamas that Gazans in Israeli custody are mistreated or starved.

The release highlights the sensitive balance Israel faces between security considerations and international expectations.

While the IDF insists that no detainees are freed without careful review, families of hostages continue to demand clearer explanations and assurances that these decisions do not come at the expense of Israeli citizens still held by terrorists in Gaza.