The implementation of the Israel-Hamas agreement will be guaranteed by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.
The family of Doron Steinbrecher, one of the three hostages returned to Israel on Sunday following more than a year in captivity by Hamas, thanked the “people of Israel” and President-elect Trump for her release.
“After an unbearable 471 days, our beloved Dodo has finally returned to our arms. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and accompanied us along this journey,” the family said in a statement released through the Hostages and Missing Families’ Forum.
“A special thank you to the people of Israel for their warm embrace, unwavering support, and the strength they gave us during our darkest moments.
We also extend our gratitude to President Trump for his significant involvement and support, which meant so much to us,” the statement continued.
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| Emily and her mom |
Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women (soldiers and civilians), children, and men over 50.
Israel’s military says the three hostages are now in Israeli territory.
“A short while ago, accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, the released hostages crossed the border into Israeli territory,” the IDF said.
“The released hostages are currently on their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment.”
Hamas will release female hostages and under 19s first, followed by men over 50. Three female hostages were expected to be released through the Red Cross on Sunday after 2pm GMT (5pm PKT), the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said.
Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for every civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian detainees for every Israeli female soldier Hamas releases.
Under the terms of the deal, Hamas will inform the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) where the meeting point will be inside Gaza and the ICRC is expected to begin driving to that location to collect the hostages.
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| Displaced Palestinians walk past the rubble as they attempt to return to their homes, following a delay in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (Reuters snap) |
Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained since October 7, 2023 by end of the first phase. The total number of Palestinians released will depend on hostages released, and could be between 990 and 1,650 Palestinian detainees including men, women and children.
Hamas will release the hostages over a six-week period, with at least three hostages released each week and the remainder of the 33 before the end of the period. All living hostages will be released first, followed by the remains of dead hostages.
Negotiations over a second phase of the agreement will begin by the 16th day of phase one and is expected to include the release of all remaining hostages, including Israeli male soldiers, a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli soldiers.
A third phase is expected to include the return of all remaining dead bodies and the start of Gaza’s reconstruction, supervised by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.
US President Joe Biden has delivered remarks on the first day of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.
“The deal that I pushed for last May … has finally come to fruition,” Biden said. “The ceasefire has gone into effect in Gaza and today we are seeing hostages being released,” he added, mentioning the three Israeli hostages released today.
He continued, “Four more women will be released in seven days, with three additional hostages released every seven days thereafter, including at least two American citizens in this first phase.”
Biden added that on the 16th day of the ceasefire, talks will begin on the second phase of the agreement, which includes a permanent end to hostilities and the release of captured Israeli soldiers.
“Today alone, we anticipate several hundred trucks will enter the Gaza Strip as I’m speaking,” Biden added.
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