On Sunday (January 19), three female hostages, who were the first to be released as part of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, were handed a “gift bag” by Palestinian militants before being handed over from Gaza to the Red Cross. It was done.
After delays due to “technical season changes,” Hamas announced a list of hostages to be released on Sunday as part of an end to the escalating war in Gaza starting in October 2023. The names included first-time picks Romi Gonen, Emily Damali and Doron Steinbrecher. To be freed.
A video released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shows the hostages being welcomed by Israeli soldiers.
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“This is what we have been fighting for for 471 days. Emily, Delon, Romi, welcome home,” the IDF wrote while sharing the video on X.
This is what we have been fighting for for 471 days. Welcome back Emily, Delon, Romi 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/VIXyaP1ntY
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 19, 2025
Damali and Steinbrecher were captured by armed groups during the attack on Kibbutz Kfar Azha on October 7, 2023, and Gonen was abducted from the Nova Festival, news agency AFP reported on the Hostage and Missing Families Forum. It was reported as a news report.
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According to the Times of Israel, large numbers of Palestinians were seen gathered near a Red Cross vehicle in Saraya Square in central Gaza City, where Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages.
strange “gift bag”
The hostages were filmed being loaded into cars by Hamas militants and given paper bags. They were also made to pose and smile with their “certificates” before being transferred to the Red Cross, who signed them and whisked them away safely.
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The bag contained “gifts and memorabilia” including a map of the Gaza Strip, photographs of Hamas prisoners and “certificates,” the Jerusalem Post reported.
The three women were seen carrying bags as they were greeted by IDF soldiers.
The hostages, who had been held captive for 471 days, said the gift bags were a “cynical game” by Palestinian militants.
Also read | The first three Israeli hostages released by Hamas after the Gaza ceasefire: where will they go next?
Gaza ceasefire agreement
The three hostages are among the first 33 people Hamas is expected to release in the first phase of the cease-fire agreement, consisting mainly of women, children, the elderly, the sick and the injured. There is. Four more Israeli hostages are expected to be released within seven days.
Negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza are expected to begin within about 16 days, and Israeli hostages are expected to participate.
(Information provided by agency)
