Hamas released three Israeli hostages, Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher, after 471 days of captivity.
In return, Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners.
This exchange occurred on January 19, 2025, as part of a broader agreement that includes a temporary halt in fighting, the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, and increased humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
The ceasefire brought a sense of relief to the war-torn Gaza Strip, with no airstrikes reported for the first time in over a year. Palestinians began returning to their homes, and humanitarian aid started flowing in, with over 600 trucks carrying essential supplies entering Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the released hostages, saying, “An entire nation embraces you.”
The three Israeli women were the first among 33 hostages to be released in the coming six weeks. Their reunion with their families was met with widespread celebration in Israel, with thousands gathering at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to watch the live footage of their release. However, concerns remain about the nearly 100 other Israeli hostages still held captive in Gaza.
The Israeli military had warned against public celebrations for the released Palestinian prisoners in the occupied West Bank, threatening to punish any gatherings. Nevertheless, crowds of people flooded the streets, eager to welcome the freed detainees. The next release of hostages and prisoners is scheduled for Saturday, with further talks on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement set to begin in two weeks.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the Israeli bombardment has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian fatalities, with women and children accounting for more than half of the deaths.
