German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock said tonight that four of the 24 hostages released by Hamas today have German citizenship.

I am incredibly relieved that 24 hostages (held) in the Gaza Strip have been released – including four Germans – and that a father, after 49 days of hell and incredible fear, can finally hug his two young daughters and his wife again.” Burbok said at a meeting of her party. “The release of the remaining hostages, especially the Germans, remains a top priority“, he noted at the meeting of the Greens.

Earlier today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar clarified that the 24 hostages released are 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and one Filipino. He clarified that some of the 13 Israelis have dual citizenship.

The head of German diplomacy pointed out that Berlin recognizes the suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. “The ceasefire must last as long as possible to ensure that the people of Gaza receive vital goods such as medicine, food, water, etc.“, pointed out Analena Burbok.

A UN representative spoke of “hell on earth”, describing the situation in the northern part of the Palestinian enclave and underlining the need for the transfer of humanitarian aid.