•Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher/Hostages and Missing Families Form/Facebook
Hamas has handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza as part of a newly implemented ceasefire agreement, according to a report by cnn.com.
The release sparked jubilant celebrations in Tel Aviv, where crowds gathered at Hostages Square to welcome news of the homecoming of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari.
The handover represents the first phase of an ambitious six-week ceasefire plan that aims to secure the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. As part of today’s exchange, Israel will release 90 Palestinian prisoners, including 69 women and nine minors.
The ceasefire, which faced a brief three-hour delay due to last-minute negotiations over hostage names, has already begun showing positive effects on the ground. The Israeli military has initiated a partial withdrawal from several locations in both southern and northern Gaza, while displaced Palestinians have started returning to their homes, many finding only rubble where their houses once stood.
Humanitarian aid has also begun flowing into the besieged territory, with World Food Programme trucks carrying essential supplies crossing through multiple border points. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees reports having 4,000 aid trucks ready to enter Gaza, with plans to deliver up to 600 trucks daily during the ceasefire period.
In a notable political development, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar acknowledged President-elect Donald Trump’s “very influential” role in the negotiations, though he emphasized that the ceasefire is temporary and does not represent the end of Israel’s military objectives in Gaza.
The release of the three women marks a crucial first step in what could be a turning point for the conflict. Emily Damari’s family representative described their wait as “agonizing,” highlighting the emotional toll on families who have endured months of uncertainty since the October 7 attacks.
As Gaza’s civilians navigate their war-torn landscape and aid workers race to deliver critical supplies, all eyes remain focused on whether this ceasefire will hold and potentially pave the way for a more lasting peace agreement.