Israel has confirmed that three hostages, who had been held by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months, are now back in Israeli territory.
The hostages, released by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza City hours after a ceasefire took effect, were then handed over to the Israeli military.
The individuals confirmed to have been freed include 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, 28-year-old Emily Damari, a dual British-Israeli national, and 24-year-old Romi Gonen.
In exchange for each hostage released, Hamas has demanded that 30 Palestinian prisoners be freed from Israeli jails.
ALSO READ: More than 100 killed since ceasefire deal announced — Gaza civil defence
The ceasefire, which had been long-awaited, was delayed at the last minute but eventually came into effect. Following the ceasefire, displaced Palestinians have started returning to the cities they fled from.
During the hours of delay before the ceasefire took hold, Israeli airstrikes continued on Gaza, with 19 people reported dead, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency.
Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 led to the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 individuals, who were taken back to Gaza as hostages.
In response, Israel launched a large-scale offensive on Gaza, which has resulted in more than 46,900 Palestinian casualties, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
