First 3 hostages arrive in Israel under Gaza ceasefire agreement

The first 3 hostages, released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, arrived in Israel. Three Israeli women were finally released yesterday after 471 days in captivity on the first day of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Emily Damari, a British-Israeli; Doron Steinbrecher, a veterinary nurse; and Romi Gonen, had been abducted from the Nova music festival by Hamas on October 7, 2023. 

The released Israeli women were handed over via the Red Cross and reunited with their families



after medical checks. They are the first of 33 Israeli hostages expected to be released. Israel has also released 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the release a significant moment, crediting both the Biden administration and President-elect Trump’s transition team for securing the deal. The Israeli military warned of readiness to respond if Hamas violates the truce.