By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-01-19 19:06:30 | Updated at 2025-01-19 21:59:39
3 hours ago
The first three Israeli hostages were released on Sunday under a long-awaited Gaza truce aimed at ending more than 15 months of war that has ravaged the Palestinian territory.
An initial 42-day truce brokered by Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators is meant to enable a surge of sorely needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, as Israeli hostages are to be released in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli custody.
The first three hostages, all women, were reunited with their mothers soon after being taken back to Israel by security forces.
Travelling by helicopter with their mothers, the women were taken to Sheba hospital in Central Israel where the army said the rest of their family members awaited them.
Hamas fighters had handed over the trio – Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher – to Red Cross officials in a bustling square in Gaza City surrounded by a sea of people including gunmen.
“After 471 days Emily is finally home,” said her mother Mandy Damari, but “for too many other families the impossible wait continues”.
