Hamas hands over three hostages to Israel as part of Gaza ceasefire deal

Hamas on Sunday released the first batch of three Israeli hostages, held captive since October 7, on Sunday as part of the ceasefire deal. The three women, Emily Damari, 28, Romi Gonen, 24, and Doren Steinbrecher, 31 were handed over to the Gaza Red Cross. 

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has confirmed the transfer. The hostages will soon be reunited with their loved ones. 

“The three returnees are now being escorted by an elite IDF unit and Shin Bet security force on their way back to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical evaluation,” said IDF. 

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Live footage carried by Al Jazeera showed hostages walking between vehicles as their convoy moved through Gaza City. Chaotic scenes occurred as the convoy was surrounded by a huge crowd with many people holding up phones and filming. 

Armed men wearing green Hamas headbands struggled to guard the cars amid the chaos. 

A senior Hamas official told AFP that, "The three women hostages were officially handed over to the Red Cross at al-Saraya Square in the al-Rimal neighbourhood in western Gaza City." 

Meanwhile, buses were waiting in the Israel-occupied West Bank awaiting the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention. 

Even before the ceasefire took effect, celebrations erupted across the territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes.

As part of the ceasefire deal, the first stage should see a total of 33 hostages returning from Gaza and over 100 Palestinian prisoners and detainees released.

“We are expecting 90 Palestinian prisoners to be released from Israeli prisons in return later today. It is not clear exactly what time they will be released,” said a Hamas official.