Hamas militants hand over Israeli hostages, 19 January 2025. (Picture Credits: Reuters/Reuters TV)
Hamas militants released three female Israel hostages from Gaza on Sunday, 19 January 2025.
Three female Israel captives were expected to be released in exchange for 90 Palestinian hostages on the first day of the ceasefire.
The three hostages, namely Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari have been reunited with their families.
The long awaited ceasefire finally came into effect after a tragic morning when Israel quickly resumed the deadly attacks across Gaza three hours before the ceasefire commenced, murdering over 19 Palestinians, leaving 36 others injured.
The Hamas-Israel ceasefire, initially scheduled for 08:30 this morning, officially began at 11:00 Palestinian time after a three-hour delay caused by technical difficulties on Hamas’s side.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his speech, said that Israel retained the right to resume war if the second phase of the ceasefire is fruitless and that they have the backing of the United States.
