ICRC receives first batch of released Israeli hostages from Gaza
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Monday that it had received the first group of released Israeli hostages — seven individuals — from the northern Gaza Strip, marking the start of the initial phase of a prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel.
Earlier in the day, Hamas released a list of 20 hostages set to be freed under the current phase of the deal.
According to the terms of the initial ceasefire agreement, seven Israeli hostages are to be exchanged for 250 Palestinian security detainees held in Israeli prisons, in addition to 1,700 detainees reportedly held in Gaza since the outbreak of the war.
Israeli sources confirmed that the remaining Palestinian prisoners will be released after the hostages’ identities are verified.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the return of the hostages as a “historic event,” noting that embarking on a new path, one of healing, and hopefully the healing of hearts.”