The first three Israeli hostages were released on Sunday under a long-awaited truce between Israel and Hamas, marking a significant breakthrough in the devastating conflict that has gripped the region for over 15 months.
The three women—Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher—were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City before being transferred to Israeli custody, according to officials.
This pivotal moment came hours after the ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, took effect. The truce, delayed by disputes over the list of hostages to be freed, officially began Sunday morning. As the ceasefire held, the first trucks carrying much-needed humanitarian aid entered Gaza, offering a glimmer of relief to the war-torn region.
In the aftermath of relentless conflict, thousands of displaced Palestinians began their journey home, many to find little more than rubble where their homes once stood. In northern Gaza’s Jabalia, families walked along sandy paths through a landscape of destruction.
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“We are finally in our home,” said Rana Mohsen, 43, standing amidst the ruins. “There is no home left, just rubble, but it’s our home.” Others, like Walid Abu Jiab, described an “unprecedented level of destruction” in the region, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.
In Rafah, Ahmad al-Balawi returned to a scene of devastation, recounting “decomposing bodies, rubble, and destruction everywhere.” Aid workers noted that northern Gaza was particularly hard-hit, with residents facing dire shortages of food, water, and shelter.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that aid trucks had begun entering Gaza.
Jonathan Whittall, interim chief of OCHA for the Palestinian territories, emphasized the extensive preparation required to facilitate the aid surge. Still, the challenges ahead are enormous, with northern Gaza lacking even the most basic necessities.
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The initial phase of the truce includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages, taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the truce as a “temporary ceasefire” and reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to resume military operations if necessary.
The first exchange saw three hostages freed, while Hamas awaited Israel’s list of 90 prisoners, primarily women and children, to be released. As part of the agreement, reception centers have been prepared in Israel to provide medical and psychological support for the returning hostages, who are expected to face significant challenges after their prolonged captivity.
While celebrations broke out in Gaza City, with residents waving Palestinian flags and rejoicing in the streets, the mood in Israel was more subdued. “I don’t trust our side or their side,” admitted David Gutterman, a taxi driver, expressing cautious optimism. “But all in all, I’m really happy.”
Shai Zaik, a Tel Aviv art museum employee, reflected on the mixed emotions shared by many Israelis. “I have mixed feelings but am full of hope that this will bring the hostages back,” he said.
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