The three Israeli hostages freed successful the archetypal signifier of the cease-fire woody with Hamas were each spotted carrying insubstantial "gift bags" with the panic organization’s logo. The bags reportedly contained a representation of Gaza, photos of the women from their clip successful captivity, and certificates speechmaking "release decision," according to Hebrew-language media.
Emily Damari, Romi Goren and Doron Steinbrecher, each of whom were kidnapped by Hamas during the deadly Oct. 7 attacks, returned to Israel connected Sunday arsenic portion of a cease-fire deal. All 3 women person been reunited with their families aft spending implicit 15 months successful captivity.
BITTERSWEET REJOICING AS FIRST HOSTAGES RETURN TO ISRAEL AFTER 471 DAYS IN CAPTIVITY
A typical for Goren’s household says her container besides contained a necklace, CNN reported, adding that the Israel Security Agency confiscated the items Hamas gave the women.
"I americium relieved to study that aft her release, Emily is doing overmuch amended than immoderate of america could ever person anticipated. I americium besides blessed that during her merchandise the satellite was fixed a glimpse of her feisty and charismatic personality," Mandy Damari, parent of Emily Damari, said successful a connection released by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum connected X. "In Emily’s ain words, she is the happiest miss successful the world; she has her beingness back."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanked Netanyahu for securing the merchandise of Damari, who is besides a British citizen.
ISRAELI INTEL INDICATES HAMAS HELD HOSTAGES AT NEW GAZA HOSPITAL
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum besides released a connection by Steinbrecher’s household successful which they thanked the radical of Israel and President Donald Trump for his support.
"A peculiar convey you to the radical of Israel for their lukewarm embrace, unwavering support, and the spot they gave america during our darkest moments. We besides widen our gratitude to President Trump for his important engagement and support, which meant truthful overmuch to us."
A Hamas authoritative confirmed that 4 of the 7 remaining Israeli pistillate hostages volition beryllium released connected Saturday, Jan. 25, according to reports.
The cease-fire and hostage deal involves Hamas gradually releasing 33 Israeli hostages held successful Gaza implicit the adjacent six weeks successful speech for Israel releasing astir 2,000 prisoners and detainees from the West Bank and Gaza.
As portion of the deal, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners successful speech for Damari, Goren and Steinbrecher. Crowds of Palestinians successful the West Bank cheered and immoderate reportedly waved Hamas flags successful solemnisation of the detainees’ return.
ISRAEL RELEASES 90 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS AS PART OF CEASE-FIRE DEAL TO FREE HOSTAGES
On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) enactment announced a shakeup arsenic Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said helium handed successful his resignation and requested to permission his relation aboriginal this year.
"I informed the Minister of Defense contiguous (Tuesday) that by virtuousness of my designation of my work for the IDF's nonaccomplishment connected October 7th, and astatine a clip erstwhile the IDF has important achievements and is successful the process of implementing the statement to merchandise our hostages, I person requested to permission my relation connected March 6th, 2025," Halevi said successful a connection released by the IDF.
"Until then, I volition implicit the IDF’s inquiries into the events of October 7th and fortify the IDF's readiness for information challenges."
In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said "I would similar to explicit my appreciation to the Chief of Staff and convey him for his publication to the IDF passim his years of work arsenic a combatant and arsenic a commander, and for his portion successful the large achievements of the IDF successful the hard warfare that was forced upon us."
Netanyahu besides commended Halevi connected his years of work and credited him for immoderate of the country’s "great achievements."