Seven living hostages freed by Hamas ‘now in Israeli custody’
People react in anticipation of the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza during a gathering at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel. Picture: Oded Balilty/AP
The Israeli military has taken custody of seven living hostages freed by Hamas from captivity in the Gaza Strip.
The military said it had the seven after they were handed over by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The seven hostages will cross into Israel before being transferred to a military base where they will be reunited with their families. They will then be taken by helicopter to Israeli hospitals.
Hamas earlier said it would release 20 living hostages held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
The exchange comes as part of the ceasefire reached in the two-year Israel-Hamas war.
There was no immediate information on their condition.
Families and friends of hostages broke out into wild cheers as Israeli television channels announced the hostages were in the hands of the Red Cross.
Tens of thousands of Israelis are watching the transfers at public screenings across the country, with a major event being held in Tel Aviv.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Monday it had begun “a multi-phase operation” to oversee the release of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas released a list early on Monday morning of the 20 living hostages it will free as part of the ceasefire, and a list of more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners it said will be released by Israeli authorities.
Major Israeli TV stations were airing special overnight broadcasts ahead of the hostages’ release as anticipation grew. People began to gather near a large screen in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv before dawn.
An international task force will work to locate deceased hostages who are not returned within 72 hours, said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s co-ordinator for the hostages and the missing.
The timing has not been announced for the release of Palestinian prisoners. They include 250 people serving life sentences for convictions in attacks on Israelis, in addition to 1,700 seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge. They will be returned to the West Bank or Gaza or sent into exile.
US President Donald Trump was first visiting Israel on Monday, where a White House schedule said he will meet with families of the hostages and speak at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Mr Trump will continue to Egypt, where President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s office said he will co-chair a “peace summit” Monday with regional and international leaders.
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