The first seven Israeli hostages have been handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza this morning, marking the start of the release process under the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israeli media and officials say the handover began around 08:00 in the Netzarim corridor and is due to continue around 10:00 in Khan Younis. The Israel Defense Forces have confirmed the initial transfer.
Hamas’s military wing has released the names of 20 living hostages it says will be freed today. Among those listed are Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana and others, according to documents shared with journalists and confirmed in international reporting this morning.
The exchange framework
Today’s releases are part of the first phase of a U.S.-brokered deal. In parallel with the return of 48 hostages (alive and deceased), Israel is set to free 250 prisoners convicted or held for security offences, as well as about 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since October 2023. Authorities have cautioned that not all remains of deceased hostages may be recovered today; a designated international body will assist in locating and transferring any not yet found.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the day a “historic event”, with his office saying the arrivals in Israel are expected “early in the morning” and that the 20 living hostages would be released together to the ICRC. Israeli authorities have also prepared for the staged releases of Palestinian prisoners through the day.
Diplomatic backdrop
The exchanges come hours before a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where U.S. President Donald Trump is expected, following his announcement that the Gaza war is over under the new ceasefire. Additional security and governance arrangements for Gaza are set to be discussed at the summit.
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Sources: AMNA, CNN, NYT, Reuters