1st group of Israeli hostages freed by Hamas in Gaza, sources say

(ABC NEWS) -- The first group of Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, two sources briefed on the matter told ABC News.

The sources said the Red Cross has the hostages and that the "operation" to get them home has begun.

It was expected that 13 Israeli hostages would be freed by Hamas near Gaza's border with Egypt on Friday in a prisoner exchange deal. But it was unclear exactly how many were handed over to the Red Cross.

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he received confirmation of the release of 12 Thai nationals from Gaza.