According to Israeli officials and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), seven hostages were handed over to the Red Cross on Monday morning and are being transferred to Israeli military custody.
The hostages are among a group of 48 individuals whom Hamas agreed to release as part of the first phase of the deal, which also includes the freeing of 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees held by Israel.
Crowds gathered in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square erupted in cheers as confirmation of the release emerged. Families of the captives, some of whom have been held since the October 7, 2023, attacks, expressed cautious relief amid hopes that all surviving hostages will soon return home.
In Gaza, Red Cross vehicles were seen moving through the southern corridor under heavy security. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that its teams are 'prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred later today.'
The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, October 10, has largely held, allowing for the first significant delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza in months. Israeli forces have reportedly begun a limited withdrawal from parts of the territory under the terms of the agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Israel early Monday to mark what he described as 'the beginning of the end of the war.' He is expected to attend a peace summit in Egypt later in the day, joined by around 20 world leaders to discuss the next phase of the deal, including Gaza's reconstruction, governance, and security arrangements.
The agreement, while welcomed internationally, remains fragile. Key issues, such as the disarmament of Hamas, the return of displaced Gazans, and the long-term political control of the enclave, have yet to be resolved.
For now, however, the hostage handover represents a rare moment of progress after months of devastating conflict. As the Red Cross convoys continue their mission, families on both sides wait anxiously for a measure of closure and a glimpse of peace that has long seemed out of reach.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
