As part of the Gaza deal, Hamas has released all surviving Israeli hostages, officials confirmed. The first photographs of the freed captives have emerged.
The group were handed over to the Red Cross ahead
of being reunited with their families by the Israeli military near the Gaza border.
In the first round of releases, seven hostages were handed over to Israeli forces in Gaza by the Red Cross. The transfer marked the start of the multi-phase operation to return hostages held by Hamas under the Gaza ceasefire deal.
According to information provided by the Red Cross, the remaining13 hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in Gaza.
Seven Israeli hostages—Ziv and Gali Berman, Matan Angrest, Eitan Mor, Omri Miran, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, and Alon Ohel—have been released by Hamas after 738 days in captivity.
These individuals are part of the group of 20 living hostages expected to return home today, under the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement. In exchange, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails are also slated for release.
US President Donald Trump is currently in Israel and met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was also welcomed into the Knesset by the parliament’s speaker and wrote a message in the guest book, CNN reports.
“This is my great honor — a great and beautiful day. A new beginning,” Trump wrote in thick black ink, signing with his characteristic sawtooth signature. The last US president to speak at the Knesset was George W. Bush in 2008.
