Tel Aviv: Hamas freed three Israeli hostages while Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners on the first day of a ceasefire. This marked a pause in the 15-month war that devastated Gaza and inflamed tensions across the Middle East.
Palestinians Return to Ruins, Aid Arrives
The truce allowed Palestinians to return to destroyed neighborhoods and begin rebuilding. Trucks carrying much-needed relief supplies entered Gaza during the ceasefire. Crowds celebrated as Hamas fighters re-emerged from hiding after the fighting subsided.
Celebrations in Ramallah for Freed Prisoners
Buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners were greeted with fireworks and cheers in Ramallah, West Bank. Thousands gathered to welcome them. Among the freed were 69 women and 21 teenage boys from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Hamas shared these numbers with the press.
LIVE: Palestinians gather in Ramallah to welcome released prisoners | Palestinians gather in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank to welcome prisoners expected to be released as part of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire... | By Reuters | Facebook
Palestinians gather in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank to welcome prisoners expected to be released as part of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire...
Emotional Scenes as Israeli Hostages Return
In Tel Aviv, crowds celebrated the return of hostages with tears and cheers. A live broadcast showed three female hostages leaving Gaza with Red Cross aid workers. Hostages Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari were reunited with their mothers in an emotional moment.
130K views · 5.2K reactions | WATCH: The Moment Emily, Doron, and Romi Crossed into Israeli Territory 🇮🇱 | WATCH: The Moment Emily, Doron, and Romi Crossed into Israeli Territory 🇮🇱 | By Israel Defense Forces | Facebook
WATCH: The Moment Emily, Doron, and Romi Crossed into Israeli Territory 🇮🇱
Video Shows Hostages in Good Health
The Israeli military shared a video showing the released hostages appearing healthy. Emily Damari, who lost two fingers from a gunshot during her abduction, smiled while embracing her mother. She held up her bandaged hand during their reunion.
136K views · 7.4K reactions | FIRST MOMENTS BACK: Emily, Doron and Romi in Israel | This is what we"ve been fighting for over 471 days. Welcome home Emily, Doron and Romi 🇮🇱 | By Israel Defense Forces | Facebook
This is what we"ve been fighting for over 471 days. Welcome home Emily, Doron and Romi 🇮🇱
Israeli PM Welcomes Freed Hostages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with a military commander following the reunions. “Tell them the entire nation embraces them,” he said in a statement celebrating the hostages’ return.
This exchange of hostages and prisoners brought relief amid a long-standing conflict. People on both sides now look forward to potential peace under the fragile truce.