First Israeli hostages are released to the Red Cross by Hamas after 737 days in captivity hell: Live updates
Written by BRITTANY CHAIN, SENIOR US CORRESPONDENT and OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Updated:
Hamas released the first seven Israeli hostages as part of a massive ceasefire agreement with Israel.
The delivery of 48 captives in Gaza, 20 of whom are estimated to be alive, is expected to be made today.
This comes after months of painstaking negotiations involving President Donald Trump finally resulted in a ceasefire agreement last week.
This morning, Hamas confirmed the names of the 20 living hostages who will return home to their families as part of the agreement.
They will be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross and then to the Israeli army, which will take them to the Reim military base to be reunited with their families.
Follow the Daily Mail’s live coverage below.
News of the first broadcast was met with applause as crowds gathered in Hostage Square
Thousands of people gathered in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, anxiously waiting for the hostages to be released after 737 days of captivity.
People cheered and hugged each other when it was announced that the first seven Israeli hostages had been handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross.
Others waved flags and banners saying ‘they’re coming home’.
These are the last scenes.
1,966 Palestinian prisoners boarded buses in Israeli prisons
During this historic prisoner exchange, Palestinian prisoners are also being released today. An official involved in the operation told Reuters that all 1,966 prisoners released by Israel boarded the buses.
Hamas hands over first Israeli hostage to Red Cross
The first seven Israeli hostages are currently in the custody of the Red Cross in Gaza, an official involved in the operation confirmed to Reuters.
“This is a dream come true,” hostage’s father says as he awaits son’s release
The father of Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival, told Israeli news outlet Haaretz that his son was ‘handed over to the Red Cross’.
He continued: ‘It is expected to be handed over to the Israeli Armed Forces within 15 minutes, and then it will come here.’
Family and friends watch livestream of the hostages’ release
Breaking:Hamas hands over first 7 hostages
Israel says Hamas handed over the first seven hostages to the Red Cross as part of the ceasefire in Gaza.
No information has been given yet regarding their condition.
Noa Argamani’s boyfriend among the hostages will be released soon
Noa Argamani was one of the Israelis kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023 persecution.
He became one of the most notable faces of the tragedy after a photo emerged of him being captured by Hamas officials.
Argamani was photographed with her boyfriend Avinatan Or.
He was rescued by IDF soldiers on June 8, 2024.
Or’s name was on the list of hostages to be released today.
Israel to bestow highest civilian honor on Trump
Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s office said he would award US President Donald Trump with Israel’s highest civilian honor, the ‘Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor’, for his efforts to bring the hostages home.
It is scheduled to land just after 9 a.m. local time.
Hamas released a list of 20 hostages to be released today
Hamas has released a list containing the names of surviving hostages who will soon return to their families.
Bar Kupershtein
Evyatar David
Yosef-Chaim Ohana
Segev Kalfon
Avinatan Or
Elkana Bohbot
Maxim Herkin
Nemrut Kohen
Matan Zangauker
David Cunio
Horn of Eitan
Matan’s Anger
Eitan Purple
Gali Berman
Ziv Berman
Omri Miran
Alon Ohel
Guy Gilboa-Dalal
Rom Braslabski
Ariel Kon
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