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1 week ago

Israel-Gaza ceasefire live: Celebrations and tears of joy as first 90 Palestinian prisoners released

Release of Palestinian detainees comes hours after three Israeli hostages were handed over to military

Bel Trew
Tel Aviv
,Barney Davis,Namita Singh
Monday 20 January 2025 03:53 GMT
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Freed Israeli hostages arrive at hospital after Hamas ceasefire release

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Israel has freed 90 Palestinians, seven hours after the first three Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

A large crowd gathered as a bus carrying dozens of Palestinian detainees arrived in the West Bank, with celebrations including fireworks and whistles amid shouts of “God is great”.

The released detainees were embraced in hugs as they posed for tearful pictures. All of those released were women or teens, the youngest 15.

Earlier yesterday, at least seven people were injured after Israeli security guards reportedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Palestinian families waiting for their relatives outside Ofer Prison.

The first three Israel hostages were handed over to the military in chaotic and emotional scenes, with British-Israeli Emily Damari among those seen hurrying into a Red Cross vehicle.

Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza poured into the streets at the start of the truce, despite the devastation surrounding them. Many returned to homes reduced to rubble during 15 months of relentless conflict that claimed over 46,000 lives.

1 week ago

Biden and Netanyahu react to hostage release

“They appear to be in good health,” US President Joe Biden said in brief remarks as they were arriving in Israel.

In Tel Aviv, thousands of people gathered to watch the news on large screens erupted in cheers.

For months, many had gathered in the square to demand a ceasefire deal.

Relatives of the women jumped, clapped and wept.

“An entire nation embraces you,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Barney Davis19 January 2025 19:50
1 week ago

Israeli unease for 94 hostages still held in Gaza

Amid hope among many Israelis that the six-week ceasefire marks the beginning of the end to the war, there is deep unease about the uncertainty surrounding the remaining 94 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.

“The ceasefire is something that I hope will work out,” said Tomer Mizrahi, in Sderot, a town in southern Israel within sight of Gaza that was attacked on Oct. 7. “But as I know Hamas, you cannot even trust them one percent.”

Images of Hamas police emerging on to the streets as the ceasefire took effect underscored how far Israel remains from its originally stated war aims of destroying the Islamist group that has ruled in Gaza since 2007.

“I’m torn,” said Dafna Sharabi from Beit Aryeh-Ofarim, a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank. “On the one hand there’s a ceasefire to strengthen the forces, to rest from all the madness, on the other, maybe it’s not the time,” she said.

“They should have been eliminated, wiped out,” she said. “My son was on reserve duty for a year over there, a whole year, and he sees all the Gazans returning, Hamas returning its forces to all the places he fought in.”

Barney Davis19 January 2025 19:30
1 week ago

Last British hostage in Gaza freed by Hamas after 15 months in captivity as Israel ceasefire begins

The last British hostage in Gaza was freed by Hamas after more than 15 months in captivity, as part of a long-fought ceasefire to end the ruinous conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, was released alongside two other female captives and reunited with her mother, Mandy, on Sunday evening, after what the family described as nearly 500 “tortuous days” in captivity.

In footage taken in Gaza, cheering crowds of armed militants were seen handing over Emily, alongside her friend Doron Steinbrecher, 31, who was captured with her from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Romi Goren, 24, who was seized from the Nova music festival.

Last British hostage in Gaza freed after 15 months in captivity as ceasefire begins

Emily Damari is one of three women freed by Hamas, the first of 33 hostages due to be freed under ther terms of the ceasefire - after 15 months of war that has levelled Gaza

Barney Davis19 January 2025 19:03
1 week ago

IDF say hostages have landed at hospital to meet their mothers

An IDF spokesman said: “The three released hostages, together with their mothers, just landed at a hospital, where they will be reunited with the rest of their families and receive medical treatment

“.The IDF, ISA, the Mossad, and Israeli health authorities are ready to continue receiving additional hostages and are operating to bring home all the hostages.”

Bel Trew19 January 2025 18:57
1 week ago

‘Our Dodo has returned to our arms'

The family of Doron Steinbrecher who has just been released have thanked Donald Trump for his role in getting their daughter released.

In a statement they said: “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. 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.

“Our heroic Dodo, who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, begins her rehabilitation journey today. We will continue to stand with all the families and do everything in our power until all of their loved ones return home.”

(IDF via Reuters)
Barney Davis19 January 2025 18:36
1 week ago

First photo of released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari

Emily Damari has been reunited with her mother Mandy, and has been seen on a video call with her brother for the first time. 

(Reuters)
Jabed Ahmed19 January 2025 17:49
1 week ago

Israel's ambassador to US credits Trump and degrading of Hamas for ceasefire deal

Israel’s ambassador to United States credited President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, along with his country’s degrading of Hamas, for the ceasefire deal that took effect Sunday.

Ambassador Michael Herzog said Hamas realized they were on their own in their fight and “Trump came into the picture and said he wants a deal,” pushing them toward it.

On “Fox News Sunday,” he noted the “unprecedented cooperation” between President Joe Biden’s team and Trump’s envoys.

Going forward, he says he sees “a role for the U.S. and other regional actors to apply and create alternatives to Hamas and stabilize the situation.”

Jabed Ahmed19 January 2025 17:42
1 week ago

Watch live: Freed Israeli hostages arrive at Sheba Medical Centre after Hamas ceasefire release

Watch: Freed Israeli hostages arrive at Sheba Medical Centre after ceasefire release

Watch live as the first freed hostages arrive at the Sheba Medical Centre in Israel on Sunday (19 January) after being released as part of the Hamas ceasefire.

Jabed Ahmed19 January 2025 17:20
1 week ago

Father of an Israeli-American hostage grateful to Trump for work on ceasefire

The father of an Israel-American held by Hamas says he’s grateful for the incoming Trump administration for its work on getting the ceasefire deal over the finish line.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, says the outgoing Biden administration “did extraordinary work” on the framework of the deal.

“However, it took a tweet, the subsequent statements from President-elect Trump to get this home,” the father said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” “And what we ask of President Trump and his team is to keep their finger on this.”

President Joe Biden’s top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, said Sunday that Sagui Dekel-Chen is one of the two Israeli-American hostages would will be released in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement over the coming weeks.

Jabed Ahmed19 January 2025 17:17
1 week ago

Watch | Hamas fighters surround first hostages to be released in ceasefire deal

Hamas fighters surround first hostages to be released in ceasefire deal
Jabed Ahmed19 January 2025 17:12

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