Urgent| With the names… Hamas releases the first batch of Israeli prisoners
On Sunday, Hamas released the first batch of Israeli hostages, after more than two years in captivity, as part of an exchange agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump with the aim of ending the two-year-long war between Israel and the movement in Gaza.
Red Cross sources said that "seven Prisoners were handed over this morning to its teams in the Gaza Strip, after 737 days of detention since October 7, 2023.
Israeli media reported that those released were: Matan Angrist, the twin brothers Galli and Zev Berman, Alon Ohel, and Eitan More. Jay Gilboa Dalal, and Omri Miran.
It added that the hostages were transferred to the Al-Ra’im military base near the border with Gaza to undergo medical examinations before meeting their families.
The Israeli government said that the release comes within the first phase of the exchange agreement, which stipulates the release of 21 prisoners it is holding. Hamas in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners, indicating that the second batch of 14 hostages is expected to be released in the coming hours.
The families and friends of the Israeli prisoners were seen celebrating in the streets of Tel Aviv and other cities, while Israeli channels showed scenes of the moment of the handover. The hostages were taken to the Red Cross, amid cheers and waving of Israeli flags.
British-Israeli Emily Damari, who was released by Hamas last January, said that she followed the release of her friends Galli and Ziv in a private session with her family and friends in Tel Aviv.
In statements to the “Daily” newspaper “It’s a very stressful day, but being together gives us some reassurance after a two-year wait,” said Yuval Ovadia, 24, an Israeli.
Jay Melamed, a student from northern Israel in occupied Palestine, said his group remained They had gathered since hearing the news of the exchange, adding: “We knew it would happen within 24 hours, so we decided to stay together until the end.”
One of the prisoners, “Eviatar David,” was scheduled to be released last January, but Hamas returned him to captivity after he saw others being released, according to what he said. Close to him.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas about the next stage of the exchange process or its precise timing.
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