ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Israeli military on Sunday announced the return of three hostages to its forces in Gaza, the first batch since the ceasefire with Hamas took shape.
“The 3 released hostages are currently being transferred to IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] and ISA [Israeli Security Agency] forces in Gaza. They are accompanied by IDF and ISA special forces upon their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment,” the IDF announced on X.
Three out of 33 Israeli captives were sent back to their territory in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. This is the first step of the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was announced on Wednesday after arduous negotiations involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. This development comes after more than 15 months of a devastating conflict between both sides.
"Phase One will last six weeks. It includes a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas," outgoing US President Joe Biden said in a speech at the White House.
He added that in the following six weeks Israel “will negotiate the necessary arrangements to get phase two, which is a permanent end of the war."
Palestinian Hamas militants launched a large-scale incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,170 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel responded with a massive ongoing offensive in Gaza, killing more than 46,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
