Terrifying handover of Israeli hostages after 417 days in captivity: Moment Brit Emily Damari and two other women are surrounded by Hamas terrorists as they climb into Red Cross van

By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-19 21:06:21 | Updated at 2025-01-20 04:12:58 7 hours ago
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This is the chilling moment a British-Israeli and two other women are surrounded by Hamas terrorists as they climbed into a Red Cross van during a handover.

Chaotic footage captured the scenes of the first Israeli hostage release since the long-awaited ceasefire came into effect today.

In dramatic clips shared to social media, Hamas forces donning camo gear and brandishing rifles can be seen gathering outside a Red Cross rescue vehicle while three hostages were being freed after 417 days in captivity.

In one video, dozens of heavily armed Hamas fighters are heard shouting at Gazan crowds and shoving them away as the white van attempts to cut through.

Another clip of the exchange unfolding shows Hamas members clamouring around the car and shouting into the open doors where the hostages are.

They could be seen struggling to control the crowds as they attempted to push them away from the path of the Red Cross convoy, which was carrying three female hostages.

On Sunday, Hamas confirmed the names of the first three hostages to be set free, including British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24.

All three were abducted during the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and are now being returned home to their families.

Chaotic footage captured the scenes of the first Israeli hostage release since the long-awaited ceasefire came into effect today

Al-Qassam Brigade hands over British-Israeli Emily Damari to the Red Cross

Members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) speak with fighters of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, in Saraya Square in western Gaza City on January 19, 2025

The Israeli military said the Red Cross had confirmed the handover of three hostages on January 19, the first to be released as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas

In one video, dozens of heavily armed Hamas fighters are heard shouting at Gazan crowds and shoving them away as the white van attempts to cut through

The trio are being accompanied by IDF special forces as they return to Israeli territory. 

There are 30 other names on the list, including women, men, and children, and they are all due to to be released in the first stage of the ceasefire deal.

It comes as Hamas militants brazenly emerged from hiding to celebrate a new ceasefire with Israel, shamelessly parading through the streets of Gaza while brandishing AK-47s and waving the group's green flags on Sunday. 

Just hours before handing over the hostages, startling images showed masked fighters in camouflage and balaclavas, with some standing on vehicles, and others marching defiantly through towns that have been reduced to rubble after months of intense fighting.

The ceasefire, which took effect at 11:15am local time, brings a temporary pause to 15 months of bloodshed. 

But the scenes of Hamas militants celebrating openly have sparked international outrage and renewed fears that the terror group has managed to retain its strength despite Israel's efforts to dismantle it.

The sight of Hamas militants openly celebrating the ceasefire has drawn condemnation from many quarters, with critics calling it a mockery of the lives lost and the ongoing suffering of hostages and their families.

Militants could be seen standing on top of the vehicle waving their guns

One of the Israeli hostages exiting a vehicle to be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) during the hostage-prisoner exchange operation

Al-Qassam Brigades hands over three Israeli hostages to Red Cross at al-Saraya as part of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum campaign group had identified the three women set to be released as Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher, seized during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war

'These images are a slap in the face to all who have suffered because of Hamas's brutality,' one observer said. 

'It shows they are unrepentant and ready to fight again.'

The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, outlines a complex roadmap for de-escalation. 

Over the next six weeks, dozens of hostages are expected to be returned, with four being released on the seventh day of the ceasefire and further releases continuing weekly.

In return, Israel has agreed to allow increased humanitarian aid into Gaza, including 600 truckloads of supplies daily, with 50 carrying vital fuel to address the humanitarian crisis.

In the first phase, Hamas is set to release women and children taken hostage in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have not been convicted or tried.

The second phase will see the release of remaining hostages, including male soldiers, in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners.

The final phase, set to begin after hostilities fully cease, will focus on reconciliation and rebuilding. 

This includes efforts to locate and return the bodies of hostages who did not survive captivity, as well as a long-term reconstruction plan for Gaza, overseen by international authorities.

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