- Israel has released 90 Palestinian prisoners – mostly women and children
- Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross
- Under the deal – for every hostage, 30 Palestinian prisoners have to be released
- Palestinians returning home to homes in ruins
Israel frees 90 Palestinian prisoners as Gaza ceasefire holds
Israel has released 90 Palestinian prisoners in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the Israeli prison service has confirmed.
The released prisoners, predominantly women and children, were greeted with hugs and cheers upon their return to the occupied West Bank.
Earlier in Gaza, Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza City, who were then transferred to Israeli military custody. The freed women—31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, 28-year-old dual British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, and 24-year-old Romi Gonen—are currently receiving medical care in Tel Aviv. All are reported to be in stable condition.
A video shared by the BBC captured an emotional moment between Emily and her mother during a call, showing her with bandaged hands after seemingly losing two fingers.
Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas has stated that for every Israeli hostage released, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails.
While the ceasefire brought temporary relief, joy turned bittersweet as many Palestinians returned to the ruins of their homes in Gaza, devastated by the ongoing conflict.