Hamas released seven hostages on Monday, the first to be freed as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war that pummeled the Gaza Strip.
The seven were expected be reunited with their families and undergo medical checks in Israel. Meanwhile, the Red Cross was on its way to point in southern Gaza where it is expected to take custody of second group of living hostages, according to the Israeli military.
Over the course of the day, 20 living hostages are expected to be released, as are over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Here’s the latest:
Israel releases first photos of hostages arriving in Israel
Israel released the first photos of the hostages arriving in Israel and meeting Israeli troops.
From initial photos, the hostages appear less gaunt and emaciated than the hostages released in January. Family members and friends watching the releases erupted in cheers and embraced each other, breaking out in sobs at the first photo of their loved ones.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where tens of thousands gathered to watch the releases, a joyful roar erupted from the crowd as the first images of the hostages flashed on the screen.
The Government Press Office released a photo of Gali and Ziv Berman, 28-year-old twins from Kfar Aza, reuniting with each other with expressions of disbelief. According to hostages previously released, the twins were held separately from each other.
Many Israelis see release of hostages as definitive end to war
Many Israelis see the release of all the hostages as a definitive end to the war and a chance to celebrate life.
“I think what you are seeing here, the people that are celebrating in the square, something for me that is very Israeli, to see so many people gathering around to celebrate not the death of our enemies but the life of our people, of Israeli people,” said Gili Roman.
His sister Yarden Roman-Gat was freed from Gaza during the first ceasefire in November 2023 but his sister-in-law Carmel Gat was killed in captivity last year.
Roman said it’s important for people around the world not to define Israel just by the army that’s been fighting in Gaza, but as a country of people who just want to live.
“Israel is when we’re celebrating people coming back alive and that the war is over,” he said.
Hostage forum invites Trump to come to Hostages Square
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a grassroots organization that has led the protest movement to release the hostages held in Gaza, invited Trump to come to Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square as he was landing in Israel.
“President Trump, Hostages Square and hundreds of thousands of people are prepared and ready to welcome you with open arms,” the group said in a statement.
Trump making such an appearance is difficult to imagine.
There are security concerns wherever the president goes and Trump’s trip will take him to Israel and Egypt before returning to Washington without staying overnight, making for a very tight, and tightly controlled, schedule.
Still, the invitation was noteworthy, marking the group’s excitement around the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Trump, Netanyahu share limo ride
Netanyahu climbed into the presidential vehicle beside Trump before the motorcade rolled away from the airport.
Trump could be seen with his arm against the limo’s window, and appeared to have a piece of paper in his hand, shortly before the line of vehicles sped away.
Trump was planning to meet with hostage families at the Knesset, or Israel’s parliament, which Trump was also set to address.
Trump greeted on the tarmac
The president emerged from the plane, pumped his fist and carefully walked down the stairs of Air Force One wearing a suit and red tie.
The military band began to play as Trump was greeted by Herzog and then Netanyahu.
There was cheering and clapping in Hostages Square as Trump was seen coming down the steps.
Trump exchanged kisses with his daughter, Ivanka, then lingered speaking to U.S. and Israeli officials, though what exactly was being said couldn’t be heard.
UN says boost in humanitarian aid to Gaza is underway
The top U.N. humanitarian official says that a scale-up of humanitarian aid to Gaza is underway.
Tom Feltcher said Monday that the U.N. and its partners distributed hundreds of thousands of hot meals and bread bundles in southern and northern Gaza. He also said cooking gas entered the strip for the first time in months.
“This is just beginning,” he wrote on social media after his arrival to Egypt’s resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to attend an international summit on Gaza.
PHOTO- ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brought to you by www.srnnews.com
