The first three hostages released from Gaza have arrived in Israel, the military announced Sunday, hours after the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold.
Footage showed the three women walking to Red Cross vehicles in Gaza City, surrounded by a crowd that swelled into the thousands as people held up cellphones and scrambled onto cars.
The vehicles were accompanied by masked, armed men who wore green Hamas headbands and struggled to guard the handover.
The three women were taken for medical assessment. “They appear to be in good health,” President Joe Biden said in brief
A young woman described as “at her happiest when she dances” is among those released after 471 days held hostage by Hamas.
Romi Gonen, 24, was captured as she tried to escape the Nova music festival when it was targeted by the militant group as part of the 7 October 2023 attack.
She has been freed alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who holds dual British-Israeli nationality.
All three arrived back in Israel on Sunday after being released by Hamas in Gaza, and were emotionally reunited with their families.
Their release forms part of the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, which began on Sunday. A total of 33 hostages are to be freed over the next six weeks.
BBC/ AP
