Hamas has handed over three female captives as part of the hostages-for-terrorists deal, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed. Ahead of the exchange, the Gaza-based terrorist group identified the first hostages to be freed today as Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Steinbrecher (31).
The Times of Israel reported the release of hostages Sunday afternoon:
Hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher are in the hands of IDF troops in the Gaza Strip.They will be brought out of Gaza to a facility near the border for an initial checkup.The IDF says the three hostages are being escorted by an elite unit, after they were handed over to them by the Red Cross.
A video on X supposedly shows Red Cross vehicles on their way to retrieve the hostages after more than 470 days of captivity in Gaza:
The IDF has helicopters are in place to bring freed hostages home.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is also undertaking security measures as freed terrorists are being moved to East Jerusalem and the Palestinian Authority-controlled West Bank.
“In accordance with the political directive, as part of the ceasefire agreement and in preparation for the release of Palestinian prisoners, the IDF Central Command has been reinforced with additional combat soldiers for defensive and offensive operations across Judea and Samaria,” the Israeli military said Sunday. “The troops will be stationed on key routes where additional checkpoints will be established and will operate to thwart terrorist activity and violent riots.”
Some 90 terrorists will be released for the first batch of Israeli hostages. “The Justice Ministry confirmed on Sunday that 90 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for three Israeli hostages: Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher,” the Israeli TV channel i24NEWS reported. “Of this total, 78 prisoners will be transferred to the West Bank and 12 to east Jerusalem.”
Israel will be releasing nearly 2000 Palestinian terrorists in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase of the ceasefire deal, which will last six weeks.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY