The Israeli military confirmed on Sunday that the Red Cross had successfully handed over three Israeli hostages, marking the first release under a truce agreement with Hamas.
The three women—Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher—were transferred to Red Cross representatives in Al-Saraya Square, western Gaza City, and are now en route to Israeli military and security forces.
This release is part of a broader ceasefire deal mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, aimed at halting 15 months of conflict. It follows Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, during which 251 hostages were reportedly taken.
Under the agreement, 33 Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and children, most of whom have been wrongfully detained by Israeli authorities.
