Four German hostages released from Gaza, says foreign minister

Four German-Israeli dual nationals were among the hostages released from Gaza on Friday, German media reported.

The released hostages whose family members said they had dual citizenship were: Aviv Asher, 2; Raz Asher, 4; and Doron Katz-Asher, 34; as well as Margalit Mozes, 77.

Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, on the sidelines of a Greens’ party conference, confirmed four dual nationals were among those released, Deutsche Welle reported.

She expressed her thanks to Qatar for its role in negotiating the release as well as Egypt and the International Red Cross. She said:

I am immensely relieved that 24 hostages have just been released from Gaza, including four Germans, that a father, after 49 days of hell, of unbelievable anxiety, can finally hold his two little daughters and his wife safely in his arms again.

She continued:

There are still over 200 women and men, and especially children, in the hands of Hamas. Our thoughts are with them today and also with their families. As much as this day is a day of hope, it is not a day to breathe a sigh of relief.