Red Cross on way to collect hostages in northern Gaza

The Israeli army said that the International Committee of the Red Cross was advancing towards the region to collect a large number of hostages held by Hamas in the north of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army said the others would be released later.

This came after Hamas released a list of 20 living hostages it said would be released and more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners that Israel said it would release; This was a key change in the ceasefire that followed two years of war.

Israelis are preparing to welcome hostages into their homes in devastated Gaza and mourn the return of the dead.

US President Donald Trump was coming to the region with other leaders to discuss the US-proposed agreement and post-war plans.

It was expected that humanitarian aid would increase to Gaza, which is in the grip of famine and where hundreds of thousands of people are homeless.

While significant questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners was an important step towards ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group.

As expectations grew, major Israeli television stations broadcast special nightly broadcasts ahead of the hostages’ release.

People began gathering in front of the big screen in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square before dawn.

The return of the hostages marked the beginning of a painful period for Israel.

Since their capture in the October 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war, news programs have commemorated their captivity and Israelis have worn yellow badges and ribbons in solidarity.

Tens of thousands of people joined their families in weekly demonstrations calling for their release.

As the war dragged on, demonstrators accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging his feet for political ends while accusing Hamas of intransigence.

Last week, under heavy international pressure and increasing isolation against Israel, the bitter enemies agreed to a ceasefire.

The hostages will be handed over to the Red Cross, then to the Israeli army, which will then be taken to the Reim military base to be reunited with their families.

It seems unlikely that the remains of the other 28 hostages will be returned at the same time.

Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostages and missing persons, said an international task force would work to find dead hostages who were not returned within 72 hours.

The timing of the release of Palestinian detainees has not yet been announced.

These include 250 people sentenced to life imprisonment for attacks on Israelis, as well as 1,700 people captured from Gaza during the war and held without charge.

The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023; Approximately 1200 people died in this attack and 250 people were taken hostage.

More than 67,000 Palestinians were killed in the ensuing Israeli offensive, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The war destroyed large swathes of Gaza and displaced nearly 90 percent of its two million residents.

It also triggered other conflicts in the region, sparking protests around the world and allegations of genocide, which Israel denies.