Hamas militants have handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, fulfilling their commitment to release them as part of a ceasefire agreement. The live broadcast is being conducted by "Al Jazeera".
The terrorists released 24-year-old Romi Gonen, 28-year-old Emily Teilu Damari, and 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher. Damari and Steinbrecher were kidnapped from the Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and they hold dual citizenship – British and Romanian, respectively. Gonen was abducted at the Nova music festival.
According to the video, the women appear to be able to move independently. A Red Cross vehicle with the hostages was surrounded by a crowd in Al-Saraya Square in Gaza. Hamas militants had to push back the onlookers to allow the vehicle to pass. Shouts of "Allahu Akbar" can be heard.
In exchange for the release of the hostages, Israel is expected to release 90 Palestinian prisoners from jails. This is anticipated to occur within the next few hours.
According to "Al Jazeera", among the Palestinians being released, there are 12 teenagers, most of whom were imprisoned for throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.
Overall, in the first phase, which will last 42 days, Hamas is required to release 33 Israelis, the youngest of whom recently turned two years old. Israel, in turn, is committed to releasing over 1,900 Palestinians from its prisons.
According to the agreement, Hamas was supposed to provide Israel with a list of the hostages to be released by January 19, no later than one day before the release. The terrorists did not meet this requirement, only announcing the names on Sunday morning.