Cairo: Hamas on Monday handed over seven hostages to the Red Cross — the first group to be released under the ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Details about their condition were not immediately available.
According to Hamas, a total of 20 hostages are to be freed in exchange for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
News of the release sparked jubilant celebrations among families and friends of the captives, as Israeli television confirmed that the hostages were now in Red Cross custody. Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered at public viewing events across the country to watch the handover, with a major gathering taking place in Tel Aviv.
