Three Israeli hostages were released Sunday as part of a long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. They are the first of 33 that Hamas is expected to free during the first phase of the deal,
CBS News reports.
Early Monday, more than seven hours later, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Facilitated by the Red Cross, the Israeli hostages were transferred to the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Authority just after 5:30 p.m. local time and crossed the border into Israeli territory shortly after that, those agencies said in a joint announcement. Both IDF special forces and ISA forces accompanied the freed hostages out of Gaza.
"The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the released hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel," the agencies said.
The hostages released were confirmed as 24-year-old Romi Gonen, 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher and 28-year-old Emily Damari.
Israeli authorities said the freed hostages underwent initial medical evaluations at a reception point in southern Israel once they returned. After those checks, they boarded a military helicopter set to take them to other hospitals.
A large bus carrying dozens of Palestinian detainees exited the gates of Israel's Ofer prison, just outside the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Israel's military, which occupies the West Bank, warned Palestinians against public celebration, but crowds thronged the buses after they left the prison, some people climbing on top or waving flags, including those of Hamas.
There were fireworks and whistles, and shouts of "God is great." Those released were hoisted onto others' shoulders or embraced.
