Seven Israeli hostages have been freed by Hamas in Gaza and handed over to the Red Cross before being received by the Israel Defense Forces, marking the first phase of an ongoing exchange under a humanitarian agreement.
The release, confirmed today by Israeli officials, brings renewed hope amid continuing negotiations for the freedom of more captives.
According to the IDF, the freed hostages were initially transferred to Red Cross vehicles inside Gaza before being handed over to Israeli and Israeli Security Agency (ISA) personnel waiting near the border.
They are expected to be flown to the Re’im military base in southern Israel, where they will undergo medical evaluations and reunite with their families.
In a brief statement, the Israeli military said, “According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip. The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry later released the names of those freed, identifying them as Eitan Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, and Matan Angrest.
The ministry welcomed the released captives on social media with the caption, “Welcome home.”
The release marks the first stage of a broader arrangement expected to see 20 Israeli hostages freed in total today, as part of a phased exchange mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
Negotiators hope the process will continue smoothly amid a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas.
Officials in Israel have welcomed the development with cautious optimism, describing it as a “moment of relief” for families who have endured weeks of uncertainty.
However, they also stressed that many more hostages remain in captivity and that efforts to secure their release are ongoing.
Hamas had earlier provided a list of hostages scheduled for release, believed to include women and young men taken during the October 7 attacks.
In exchange, Israel is expected to release several Palestinian detainees and allow additional humanitarian aid into Gaza under the terms of the agreement.
The latest developments come as part of a delicate balance between humanitarian operations and ongoing military tensions in Gaza.
International observers say the success of today’s release could set the tone for future phases of the agreement and potentially extend the temporary ceasefire.
For now, the release of the first seven hostages offers a rare moment of hope in a conflict that has inflicted immense suffering on both sides, and a reminder of the human cost behind the headlines.