In the latest step of a fragile ceasefire deal, three Israeli hostages were handed over by Palestinian militants in Gaza on Thursday in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners. The emotional scenes, marked by cheers and tears, underscored both the urgency of diplomacy and the human toll of the ongoing conflict. 🌍💔
A video shared by Hamas ally Islamic Jihad showed Agam Berger, a female Israeli soldier, waving from a podium in northern Gaza before being transferred to the Red Cross. Meanwhile, 80-year-old Gadi Moses and 29-year-old Arbel Yahud—abducted during the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz—were seen embracing at a separate exchange site in southern Gaza, surrounded by masked militants.
An Israeli official noted the freed hostages would undergo medical evaluations upon arrival. Meanwhile, crowds gathered in Tel Aviv’s 'Hostages Square,' a rallying point for families demanding further releases.
The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has so far secured the release of seven Israelis and 290 Palestinian prisoners. Over 250 people were originally taken hostage during the Hamas-led assault, with roughly half freed during a prior truce. Israel now reports 90 captives remain in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead.
As the enclave grapples with widespread devastation, the exchange offers a glimmer of hope—and a reminder of the stakes as negotiators race against time. 🤝✨
