It tonight after 49 days in captivity. The first group of 24 hostages released by Hamas in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners after a fragile ceasefire took effect. The caravan of Red Cross vehicles carrying hostages out of Gaza. 13 Israelis among them, from toddlers to great grandmothers. Who they are and what we know about them. The moment arriving their bus crossing into Israel. Helicopters flying some to an Israeli children's hospital. No Americans among this first group released. The youngest American turning four years old today. What President Biden said today about those U. S. Hostages and when will the second group be released? Plus, our NBC News exclusive inside the Hostage Rescue Room in Qatar, and what the lead negotiator told us about freeing those Americans. Also tonight, the cross country winter storm on the move. How it could impact your travel this holiday weekend. The Black Friday rush is on. The heightened security this year as demonstrations erupt at malls and retail theft surges. The news on Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee Olympic runner. Nearly eleven years after he fatally shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He's now been granted parole. How Steen camp's family is reacting. And our holiday season kickoff with the world famous Rockets.

This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. In the Middle East, the sounds of war giving away to sounds of joy from families reunited in a carefully negotiated exchange that saw the safe release of 24 hostages by Hamas, along with the release of 39 imprisoned Palestinians by Israel. The International Red Cross escorting the now former Hamas captives into the safety of Egypt, their first stop before long awaited reunions with family. Today's hostage release included 13 Israeli women and children, along with nearly a dozen workers from Thailand and the Philippines who had been kidnapped. The release Palestinians consisted of women and teenagers. There were no Americans set free in this initial exchange. President Biden calling today only a start. More hostages are expected to be free during a four day pause in fighting that also allows for more humanitarian supplies to be brought into Gaza. Raph Sanchez has new developments tonight from Israel.

After 49 days of captivity, this is what the road to freedom looks like. White Jeeps of the Red Cross driving through the darkness of southern Gaza, carrying these 13 Israeli women and children from toddlers to great grandmothers, out of the hands of Hamas. First, to the safety of Egypt for an initial round of medical checks. And finally home to Israel, where troops gave the kids noise canceling headphones to dampen the roar of the helicopters.

It's only a start, but so far, it's gone well.

The youngest hostages, two year old Aviv and her four year old sister Raz Freed, along with their mother, Duran. We met their father, Yoni, on the third day of the war.

She told me that they are locked down in the security room and terrorists enter the house.

He tracked his wife's cell phone as it headed into Gaza. And then this heart stopping video of the moment his family was kidnapped.

You never imagined your girls and your wife would fall down to Hamas'hands when they were visiting their grandmother tonight.

Yoni posting they're finally here at home. Also free. Ohad Mundir zikri seen in this Hamas video under the arm of a gunman. His family held a painful birthday for him as he turned nine in captivity. And tonight, American toddler Abigail Moore Idan turns four years old, but remains a hostage. No Americans got out today, but President Biden vowing we also will not stop.

Until we get these hostages brought home. And an answer to their whereabouts.

Also released eleven workers from Thailand and the Philippines who were kidnapped on October 7. As part of the deal. Israel agreeing to free 39 Palestinian prisoners, 24 women and 15 teenagers. Israeli troops firing tear gas to disperse crowds gathering in the occupied West Bank to celebrate their release. The complex exchange came hours after a four day ceasefire took hold in Gaza. Palestinians venturing onto the streets after weeks of relentless airstrikes, which have killed more than 5000 children, according to the Red Crescent. I was displaced to this school because they destroyed my house, says this pregnant mother. And tonight, hundreds of aid trucks rolling into Gaza a welcome sight, even if it's a fraction of what's needed. Tensions as displaced people try to return north to their homes, but blocked by Israel's army. But for now, the ceasefire holden. And with it, hope for the remaining hostages.

Raph, what do we know about the health of the hostages free today? And what comes next in all this?

Well, Lester, doctors here in Tel Aviv say all of the children are in good condition. We're waiting to hear more about the adults. And Israel's government says it has received the list of hostages due to be freed tomorrow, which is a sign that this deal is holding. But remember, this deal is only for 50 out of the roughly 240 total hostages. Lester?

Raph Sanchez tonight. Thank you. And one of the countries playing a key role in all this is Qatar. Tonight, our Keir Simmons has exclusive access inside Qatar's hostage rescue room, and he spoke with the lead negotiator about when those Americans could be freed tonight, NBC.

News inside Qatar's hostage release operations room monitoring today's truce at the end of what the lead negotiator describes as an intense day.

It's a good day today. We made a very good progress.

And there's hope tonight that a number of Americans will be freed soon.

If today we didn't see Americans from the list, I remain hopeful that the upcoming days we will see the release of all citizens under the women and children category.

The administration has been very keen to see the American hostages released, including, of course, a little girl, Abigail Moridan, who's four today.

Of course, it matters to us to get all of the US citizens out.

He says the number of releases this weekend may exceed expectations.

We're expecting ten people. We were surprised today by that. The number of releases has reached up to 24, which is a very positive development.

Hostage taking is on the rise around the world, and Qatar is playing a larger role as mediator.

What worries me is that there are.

Other groups around the world who watch.

This and think they should take hostages as well.

But despite their freedom, the captives likely face a long, difficult road ahead.

And I think anybody who assumes or hopes that life is ever going to go back to exactly how it was before is in for a rude awakening.

Jason Razayan was the Tekran bureau chief for The Washington Post in 2015. Convicted by Iran of espionage, he spent 544 days in captivity. For a time, even in solitary confinement, freedom took some getting used to.

The hardest thing was getting used to choice. Again. After having my ability to make decisions.

Taken from me, some of the smallest hostages could face the biggest challenges.

I think that those kids will have experienced something that will be very difficult, impossible for them to put in any kind of context.

Israeli health officials, meanwhile, have issued guidelines on proper and safe treatment of returning captives. Psychologist Neil Greenberg says these first days and weeks can be difficult and confusing.

Over time, if they have good support, then most people begin to sort of recover and get to some sort of steady state again.

The IDF today releasing video of their preparations to receive the returning hostages, showing rooms full of medical kits. Food will be especially critical since the hostages, including the little ones, will likely be suffering from some level of malnutrition. 24 have come home. Many more remain in captivity, their loved ones waiting for their turn. For some good news. Kia Simmons, NBC News, Doha.

Back here at home, we're tracking a winter storm crossing the country just as tens of millions of Americans are traveling over this Thanksgiving weekend. Meteorologist Bill Karens joins us. Bill, what are you watching?

Good evening, Lester. We've been tracking the snowstorm in the Rockies, and now over the weekend, it's going to start to head east. All the travel trouble will be in the form of snow and some ice, especially Kansas, Nebraska, and eventually up here towards areas around Chicago. So here's how we're going to break down the timing of it. Tomorrow we're going to watch all the snowy travel in Kansas, especially Wichita. Driving to Manhattan, Kansas, topeka to Kansas City. Those are all areas that you'll be dealing with a snowy drive interstate 35 and Interstate 70 to be the worst of it. Then on Sunday, we're going to watch that system heading into the Great Lakes. We're going to watch isolated areas with slick conditions, chicago, northwards, rain showers in the southern portion of the country. And watch out late in the day. Some rain around New York City and DC.

Bill. Karens. Thank you. And it's the day after Thanksgiving, so you know what that means. The season of sales is here. But this year black Friday is happening under heightened security as protesters converge on malls and retail thefts surge. Here's. Liz Kreitz.

Tonight, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, at one of the busiest malls in Los Angeles, pro Palestinian protesters march through the grove before blocking a major intersection outside. And at a mall in New Jersey, a bomb scare forcing shoppers to evacuate before getting the all clear.

Merry Christmas.

This is the holiday shopping season ramps up. Shopping, shopping, shopping. We love shopping. And as police prepare to combat fears of retail crime, consumers can expect to.

See an increased presence of high visibility patrols.

Law enforcement cracking down after the retail industry reports losing $112,000,000,000 last year, in part from these brazen, often violent smash and grab robberies.

They just smashed and grabbed, they peppered sprayed me on my eyes and my mouth. Probably about 75,000 people here today.

Stephen Craig, who owns the Citadel Outlet mall in La. Says several stores here have been hit by organized theft. What's the impact on the businesses?

What's huge? You walk into a coach store, you steal $10,000 worth of bags and run out, and it reduces their profitability.

The law enforcement presence is visible all around here. That's on top of 24/7 private security, undercover cops and high definition surveillance cameras patrolling the area. Shoppers on edge and staying aware. Like, I don't carry like a big purse, I just carry this. Again, be aware of our surroundings. Tonight, police coast to coast vowing to be on high alert to ensure a safe shopping season for everyone. Liz Croitz, NBC News, Los Angeles.

A major new development concerning Oscar Pastorius, the double amputee Olympic sprinter. Nearly eleven years after Pastorius fatally shot girlfriend Reva steam camp through a locked bathroom door at his home in South Africa, pistorius has been granted parole in January. Pistorius maintains he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder. Steenkamp's mother said she's not convinced he's been rehabilitated. And you've likely seen the headlines. A wave of recent lawsuits against famous and powerful men alleging sexual misconduct. They've all been filed under a New York law, but that window is now closing. Our senior legal correspondent, Laura Jarrett is with us. Laura, explain how this law works. The cases had to be filed by today.

Yes, Lester. The reason you see that wave of allegations suddenly coming to light is because the time is almost up. A law that started last November gave survivors a one year window to file their civil lawsuits for sexual assault cases that normally would be too old to be brought in court. This is the same law used by writer E. Jean Carroll to win her $5 million judgment against the former president, which he is appealing. But other cases filed against other familiar faces. More recently, Russell Brand, sean Diddy Combs, jamie Foxx, new York City mayor Eric Adams all sued, all denying these years old accusations against them. All told, Lester, more than 2500 claims have been filed.

Laura, how common are laws like this around the country?

Well, New York is certainly an outlier on this, Lester, but advocates are calling on other states to pass similar laws to acknowledge how long it takes some survivors to come forward. Lester?

Laura Jarrett. Thank you. In 60 seconds, the rising tensions on college campuses. What one Ivy League school is doing differently to bring students together. And later, the warning about lead poisoning and baby food. Finding common ground these days can be tough on some college campuses. But we visited a school in New Hampshire that has managed to foster understanding through dialog here's. Julia Ainsley.

As tensions flared on college campuses after the October 7 attacks on Israel, something different happened here at Dartmouth College. Students and professors gathered to talk.

It's crucial in holding these kinds of discussions that all voices are allowed to be heard.

Muslim and Jewish professors invited students to learn and ask tough questions.

First of all, do you believe that endorsing an attack by Hamas, which is an explicitly antisemitic organization, is in and of itself an antisemitic position?

The first forum was so successful, it led to a second one, attended by more than 1300 in person and over livestream. Many students say the open dialog helped diffuse tensions seen on other campuses. Owen Saner, a Jewish senior, said the discussions made an impact.

The presence of professors in the discussions has helped to sort of reduce the intensity of a lot of students'feelings.

Muslim sophomore Ramsey Alshe, the son of a Palestinian refugee, was also at the forum and took a class on Israel's history. What was the first day of class like after October 7?

There was a sort of silenced, and then we talked about it. We unpacked it. It was something.

There have been no publicized attacks on Dartmouth's campus, though two pro Palestinian students were recently arrested for threatening, quote, physical action against the administration. They deny they were threatening violence. Dr. Heschel says Dartmouth's president encouraged students to attend the forums she held.

It's an extraordinary achievement that we have universities. We have to preserve them. They're fragile right now. This is not just a question of October 7.

Now Heschel says she's hearing from other colleges who were interested in creating academic forums on Israeli Palestinian relations on their campuses, too. Julia Ainsley, NBC News, Hanover, New Hampshire.

Up next, a report on how dangerous metals like lead are winding up in some kids'food, making them very sick. We'll tell you what parents need to know. Packed now with a concerning story about food safety. More than 50 kids have suffered from lead poisoning, potentially linked to popular applesauce pouches. Now parents and regulators are questioning how heavy metals make it into our kids food here's. Vicki Wynn.

All right.

In August, rudy Callahan had his one year checkup. Doctors ran routine tests, including one measuring lead levels. His parents, Ricky and Sarah, were shocked by the results. Rudy had lead poisoning.

Never in a million years did I imagine that my son would be affected by lead poisoning.

Good job.

Inspectors didn't find a clear culprit at their Maryland home. But later a friend told them about the recall of Wanabana Apple Cinnamon Fruit puree pouches, something they'd been feeding Rudy for months. The company issued a recall in October because of lead contamination at levels 200 times higher than the FDA's recommended limit.

How many of these apple sauce pouches do you think he had eaten?

They were a regular part of his diet.

The FDA estimates over 50 children across the country have high blood lead levels related to the recall. The Wanabana pouches were sold nationwide at Dollar Tree on Amazon, and also under different brand names like Weiss and schnooks.

It makes me feel guilty. All we wanted was the best for our baby, and he's been lead poisoned.

Wanabana said it initiated a voluntary recall of all batches and is working closely with the FDA to investigate the source of the contamination. In a statement to NBC News, the FDA says the amount of lead in the Wanabana puree was unusually high, and it believes the cinnamon caused the contamination, adding that it's currently screening incoming shipments of the spice from multiple countries. A 2021 Congressional report revealed dangerous levels of heavy metals in a wide range of baby foods, often absorbed by fruits and vegetables from the soil. When we see labels like organic, All Natural 100% Fruit, is that meaningless?

None of the labels we're used to seeing have anything to do with heavy metals. And that's why it's so important for the government to take action for food manufacturers and for parents to really pay attention.

In January, the FDA announced proposed industry limits on lead in baby food, but that guidance isn't expected to be finalized until 2025. Ultimately, experts say, the best way to know if a child's been exposed to lead is to have them tested by a doctor.

What action do you want to see?

I'd like to see a more rigorous testing so things like this don't happen in the future.

It is something that could have been so easily avoidable.

Vicki Nguyen, NBC Newsport, Republic, Maryland.

And up next, kicking off the holiday with sisters who show us just what it takes to be a Radio City rocket. Finally, we want to tell you about the two sisters who were doing those high kicks side by side for the very first time as Radio City Rockets. Here's Joe Fryer.

For so many of the Radio City Rockets, before they were dancing on the stage, they were watching from the audience, including Jordan and Danielle Betcher. You probably get this a lot, but are you sisters?

We are sisters. Yes.

Danielle, the oldest, remembers seeing the Christmas spectacular with her grandpa when she was 13.

And he must have seen that look on my face of just like, pure joy, because he leaned in and he goes, you know, someday you could do that if you wanted to.

Ten years ago, she did, and seven years ago, her sister did. This year, for the first time, they're right next to each other on the kick line.

I just know that she has my back both on and off stage.

Danelle Morgan also has their backs. She's a swing ready to step in when someone is out.

It's an incredibly challenging job. We don't just learn the one track that a single Rocket will do in the show. We learn the entire show.

Sometimes do you only have, like, a moment's notice before you have to jump in?

There have been times where it's mid show and then all of a sudden we're on the stage.

An 18 year rocket.

Vet.

She knows her parents could be in that audience.

They pop up and they show go up in the front row for a show where I'll hear my dad cheering, and I'm like, oh, my gosh, my parents are here. They didn't tell me they're here, but they're here.

Okay, so your parents don't always warn you that they're coming?

Oh, no, they don't always warn me. I can see my mom's glasses reflecting with the lights. And it's just really special to know that there's love coming at me while I'm performing.

Reminder the Rockets are not just in sync with each other, but with you too. Joe Friar and NBC News, New York.

And that is nightly news for this Friday. Thank you for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. Thanks for watching. Stay updated about breaking news and top stories on the NBC news app or follow us on social media.