Topline
The Israeli military said it has taken custody of the seven hostages freed by Hamas, the first set of the 20 living hostages that are set to be released on Monday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel as part of a ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump.
People gather at the hostage square in Tel Aviv ahead of the hostage release in Gaza.
dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
Key Facts
In a statement issued on social media, the Israel Defense Forces said: “Seven returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and ISA forces on their return to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment.”
Hamas handed over the seven hostages to the Red Cross, which is facilitating the hostage release and prisoner transfer.
“The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on,” the IDF statement added.
The seven released hostages have been identified as by the Israeli government as “Alon Ohel, Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Eitan Mor and Omri Miran,” but no details have been shared about their condition.
Haaretz reported that at least four of seven released hostages spoke to their families via video call shortly before their release.
The IDF previously tweeted that the Red Cross was on its way to “a meeting point in northern Gaza where several hostages will be transferred into their custody.”
What Has The Red Cross Said?
In an earlier statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it was engaged in a “multi-phase operation to facilitate the release and transfer of hostages and detainees as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.” The ICRC’s teams will take the hostages from Hamas’ custody and hand them over to the Israeli authorities. The humanitarian group will carry out a separate operation, taking custody of Palestinian detainees held Israel and transfer them to Gaza and the West Bank.
This is a developing story.
