Topline
The Israeli military said it has taken custody of the seven hostages freed by Hamas, the first set of the 20 living hostages that are set to be released on Monday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel as part of a ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump.
People gather at the hostage square in Tel Aviv ahead of the hostage release in Gaza.
dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
Key Facts
In a statement issued on social media, the Israel Defense Forces said: “Seven returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and ISA forces on their return to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment.”
Hamas handed over the seven hostages to the Red Cross, which is facilitating the hostage release and prisoner transfer.
“The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on,” the IDF statement added
The IDF previously tweeted that the Red Cross was on its way to “a meeting point in northern Gaza where several hostages will be transferred into their custody.”
In an earlier statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had started a “multi-phase operation to facilitate the transfer” of the hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s custody.
This is a developing story.
