In a significant development aimed at halting the ongoing violence in Gaza, Palestinian militant group Hamas has released the first three Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement. The hostages—Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher—were transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and later handed over to Israeli forces. They were subsequently taken to a hospital in Tel Aviv, where they were reunited with their families.
This release is part of a broader deal involving the exchange of 33 hostages for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails over a six-week period. The first three hostages are part of the initial phase, with four more Israeli hostages set to be released next Saturday.
The ceasefire agreement, which also involves the release of Palestinian prisoners, follows months of stalemate in the Gaza war. It was brokered through diplomatic efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. The release of prisoners includes mostly women and minors, with the majority being from the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
This deal marks a significant step in efforts to de-escalate the conflict, with both sides participating in a three-stage ceasefire arrangement.
