Hamas releases Israeli hostages after Gaza ceasefire takes effect

Following the long-awaited ceasefire agreement, three Israeli women, held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months, were released and returned to Israel. The three hostages were Romy Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, with Emily Damari also being a British citizen. Their release was the result of an exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

The start of the ceasefire was delayed by several hours on Sunday morning due to Hamas's delay in confirming the names of the hostages. Reportedly, Israeli attacks resulted in the deaths of 19 Palestinians before the list was delivered. After the ceasefire began, hundreds of thousands of displaced people began returning to their homes in Gaza, and convoys of trucks carrying much-needed humanitarian aid entered the area.

The three-phase agreement was brokered last week by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. A spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry called it a "deal of hope" and a "last chance for peace." The first phase, lasting six weeks, is expected to see a total of 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas released in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Gaza. Simultaneously, Israeli forces will withdraw from populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning home, and hundreds of aid trucks will enter the area daily.

Negotiations for the second phase, which will involve the release of the remaining hostages, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the "restoration of sustainable calm," should begin in just over two weeks. The third and final phase will include the reconstruction of Gaza, which could take years, and the return of any remaining hostage remains. The ceasefire agreement still appeared fragile and uncertain at the last minute on Sunday.

The ceasefire, originally scheduled to begin at 8:30 am local time (06:30 GMT), was delayed after the Israeli government said Hamas had not provided the names of the first group of hostages to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas stated the delay was due to "technical field reasons," adding that it remained committed to the agreement. The Hamas-run civil defense agency stated that Israeli airstrikes and shelling across Gaza during the delay killed 19 people and injured 36. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they attacked Hamas military infrastructure and armed personnel in vehicles.

The ceasefire finally went into effect at 11:15 after the Israeli government said it had received the names of the hostages. The government later confirmed their identities as 28-year-old Emily Damari, who was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7; 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, who was also abducted from Kfar Aza; and 24-year-old Romy Gonen, who was abducted from the Nova music festival. Thousands of people gathered in front of large screens at "Hostages Square" in Tel Aviv, awaiting news of the women.

At approximately 17:15, the IDF stated that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) "had informed that three Israeli hostages had been transferred to them and were on their way to IDF and Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet security service) forces in the Gaza Strip." Video footage from Saraya Square in central Gaza City showed camouflaged Palestinian armed gunmen escorting several ICRC vehicles through crowds. A senior Hamas official told AFP that the women were handed over "after a member of the Red Cross met them and ensured their well-being."

About 40 minutes later, the IDF announced that the women had crossed into Israeli territory accompanied by Israeli special forces. They were first taken to a military base in southern Israel, where they were reunited with their mothers and received initial medical assessments. Afterward, they were airlifted to Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv, where their families were waiting. Doctors stated the women were in stable condition and would be monitored for a few days. Emily Damari's mother, Mandy, said, "While Emily's nightmare in Gaza is over, the impossible wait continues for too many other families." She added, "The last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to all the hostages who are still waiting to come home."

The IDF stated that an additional three to four hostages will be released weekly for the remainder of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. Earlier, photos from northern Gaza showed some of the 1.9 million Palestinians displaced by Israeli attacks, evacuation orders, and fighting attempting to return home. One of them, Fouad Abu Gilboa, was heading north toward Jabalia. "Massive, indescribable destruction, unlike anything in history," he said. "It is an unjust and criminal war. But, God willing, with our will, faith in God, and strength, we will rebuild and live."

A young woman hoping to return to her home in the southernmost city of Rafah from the Israeli-designated Al-Mawasi "humanitarian zone" said the news of the ceasefire evoked a feeling of "extreme joy." "No one in the Gaza Strip could imagine they would experience such a great moment," she said. She stated that even if "the war is waged 100 more times," she will continue to try to return to Rafah. "The war will end sooner or later, but the homes will remain, and the resistance will become stronger," she added.

In the occupied West Bank, Palestinian families gathered near Ofer Prison to welcome the first group of Palestinian prisoners and detainees released under the ceasefire agreement. Israel was supposed to release 90 prisoners, most of whom are women, in exchange for the first three hostages. The ceasefire and hostage exchange were welcomed by leaders around the world. "After so much pain, death, and loss of life, the guns in Gaza have gone silent today," said outgoing US President Joe Biden. "Now, the responsibility for implementing this agreement falls on the next administration. Success will require persistence," he added.

Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, warned that the United States would support Israel if Hamas violates the ceasefire agreement. He also stated that it is unacceptable for Hamas to ever govern Gaza. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated, "Unfortunately, we have not achieved our goal of dismantling Hamas's military and governing capabilities… but we are committed to doing so." On Saturday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that any ceasefire would be "temporary" and that Israel reserves the right to resume the war, with US support, if the truce breaks down.

These comments appeared aimed at placating far-right ministers within the cabinet who opposed the deal. However, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with two other ministers from his far-right Jewish Power party, Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Amichai Eliyahu, said on Sunday that they had resigned in protest. Ben-Gvir said his party would not try to bring down Netanyahu's ruling coalition in parliament, which now holds only a slim majority.

The Israeli military launched an operation to destroy Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and other countries. The operation was in response to the unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in the region, more than 46,910 people have died in Gaza since then. Most of the 2.3 million population have also been displaced, destruction is severe, and there are critical shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter due to difficulties in delivering aid to those in need.

Israel states that Hamas is still holding 91 hostages, 34 of whom are presumed dead. Additionally, three Israelis were kidnapped before the war, one of whom has since died. On Sunday morning, the Israeli military announced that special forces had recovered the remains of Sergeant Oren Shaul, an Israeli soldier who died in the 2014 Gaza war.