The Red Cross announces the receipt of the first batch of Israeli hostages

This morning, the process of exchanging Palestinian prisoners for hostages began in the Gaza Strip, as the Red Cross announced the start of the release of the first batch of Israeli hostages.

The Red Cross received Israeli hostages, while the rest will be received within the next few hours.

Earlier today, Hamas published in a statement the names of 20 Israeli hostages who will be released as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Before that, Israeli media reported that the process of releasing the Israeli hostages held in Gaza begins at eight in the morning local time from the Netzarim axis and continues at ten in the morning in Khan Yunis in Gaza.

Maariv newspaper quoted officials as saying that Hamas informed the Red Cross that it would release the hostages from 3 points. The hostages are scheduled to be transferred immediately upon their receipt to the Reem base, where identities will be verified and a quick medical examination will be conducted before they are transferred to hospitals.

For its part, the International Committee of the Red Cross denied reports that it met with Israeli hostages or received information indicating that their health condition was serious. The committee confirmed that it is in constant contact with all parties in preparation for the process of returning the hostages, and that it has not received or transmitted any information regarding their health condition.