A cease-fire agreement between Israel and terrorist group Hamas began Sunday with the release of three Israeli hostages, in exchange for some 90 Palestinian prisoners in.
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The family of Doron Steinbrecher, one of the three hostages returned to Israel on Sunday following more than a year in captivity by Hamas, thanked the “people of Israel” and President-elect Trump for her release.
“After an unbearable 471 days, our beloved Dodo has finally returned to our arms. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and accompanied us along this journey,” the family said in a statement released through the Hostages and Missing Families’ Forum.
“A special thank you to the people of Israel for their warm embrace, unwavering support, and the strength they gave us during our darkest moments. We also extend our gratitude to President Trump for his significant involvement and support, which meant so much to us,” the statement continued.
Posted by Louis Casiano
Three Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023 have reunited with their mothers after more than a year in captivity.
The released hostages, all young women, were identified as Doron Steinbrecher, 31; Romi Gonen, 24; and Emily Damari, 28.
Images released by the Israel Defense Forces show the women embracing their mothers upon meeting after more than 15 months apart.
“This is a very moving day. Tell Romi, Doron and Emily – an entire nation embraces you,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “Welcome home. We will return them all, and we will achieve all of our objectives for the war.”
Posted by Louis Casiano
In the first images of the three hostages Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari being released to the Israeli Defense Forces on Sunday after their long captivity by Hamas, their faces told a story of resilience. After spending 471 days as prisoners, all three women were able to walk unaided from Red Cross vehicles to waiting IDF officials, marking the first step in Israel’s historic cease-fire and hostage exchange agreement with Hamas.
The return of the three women was celebrated across Israel. Mandy Damari, mother of British-Israeli Emily Damari, said in a statement: “After 471 days Emily is finally home. I want to thank everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name. In Israel, Britain, the United States, and around the world. Thank you for bringing Emily home. While Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over, for too many other families the impossible wait continues. Every last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to the hostages who are still waiting to come home.”
In a live broadcast, Romi Gonen’s father, Eitan, recited the Jewish blessing “Shehecheyanu,” expressing gratitude for his daughter’s safe return. Meanwhile, her grandmother, Debora, voiced both relief and anguish: “I’ve waited for this day, this is the reason I live for, to see my granddaughter come home. But my heart is with the families still waiting. We must bring them all home.”
Ashley Waxman Bakshi, the cousin of Agam Berger—a young soldier still held captive—captured the mixed emotions of the day. “After enduring hell, we desperately needed a moment to breathe and smile,” Bakshi told Fox New Digital during a gathering in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where thousands came together to witness the first phase of the deal. “But this is only the beginning. We must continue until everyone is home.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who received real-time updates from IDF Coordinator Brigadier General (Res.) Gal Hirsch, described the moment as deeply emotional. “These three women have endured unimaginable darkness,” Netanyahu said on the call with Hirsch. “Today, they step into the light, free at last, thanks to the heroic sacrifices of our soldiers. We will not stop until every last hostage is returned.”
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Efrat Lachter
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his White House return, a long-awaited Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal is unfolding — offering hope to hostage families, despite some acknowledging it as a “deal with the devil.”
“Before President Trump was elected, it [the deal] was stuck,” Ronen Neutra, whose son Omer was killed by Hamas terrorists, told Fox News on Sunday.
“Let’s face it, the fact that President Trump had a clear message, ‘By my inauguration, I want to see hostages coming out, or else there will be hell to pay,’ made a huge impact in the Middle East, and we are hopeful that with his leadership, we’re going to see all 98 hostages coming out starting today with the three female hostages.”
“We know their family, and we are so emotionally involved in this as well and thrilled to see them coming out,” he said.
Trump promised “all hell to pay” if remaining Hamas captives were not released by his inauguration date in a Truth Social post last year. The message offered a glimmer of hope to some captives’ families, including one who called the message “exactly the type of language we were missing.”
Ronen and his wife Orna’s son Omer, an IDF tank platoon commander and American from Long Island, New York, who had long been thought to be one of Hamas’ captives, was recently determined to have been murdered by the terror group on Oct. 7, 2023.
His parents, who have remained outspoken about their demands for hostages to be returned safely, plan to attend Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Taylor Penley
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Trucks from the United Nations World Food Program crossed into Gaza on Sunday after Hamas released three hostages as part of a cease-fire agreement with Israel.
The food trucks contain parcels of ready-to-eat meals, wheat flour, commodities for hot meals, and nutrition supplements, the WFH said. Little aid had been able to cross into Gaza prior to the cease-fire as humanitarian groups deemed trips too dangerous in many areas.
“This is a critical first step, but the needs in Gaza are immense; two million people have been in urgent need of food and other basics for far too long,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. “After 15 months of war, we need all border crossings to stay open and function efficiently, effectively and reliably. And we need humanitarian teams to be able to move freely and safely across Gaza to reach those in need.”
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
News that Israel and Hamas have finally signed a deal was met with an international sigh of relief on Friday as it could mean the return of all remaining hostages who have long been held in unconscionable conditions, as well as bring an end to the brutal 15-month campaign in Gaza.
The first 42-day phase of the ceasefire and hostage-exchange agreement began on Sunday, when three of the 33 hostages slated to be released will be returned to Israel.
The exchange of the remaining 65 hostages, both dead and alive, will be negotiated on the 16th day of the cease-fire. However, the return of those hostages will not begin until the 43rd day of the deal, marking the second phase of the cease-fire.
But the family members of hostages still in Gaza have yet to fully rejoice, and as many view the progression with cautious optimism, others believe the deal is not good enough.
“We are dealing with this deal [for] more than a year, and both sides tried to achieve the best deal for themselves,” retired Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Major General Yaakov Amidror said in a discussion with reporters Thursday afternoon.
Amidror made clear there was no way to achieve a perfect solution, given the immense complexities and the need to balance the value of human life with that of achieving a strategic security aim.
“This is the deal. It’s a bad one. But it’s the only one through which we can get out 33 hostages,” he said. “And I think that, morally, it should be done.”
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Caitlin McFall
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
The Israeli Defense Forces on Sunday released video of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari crossing into Israeli territory after being released from Hamas custody.
The three women had been held hostage for 471 days, and they were the first to be released to Israel as part of a cease-fire agreement with Hamas.
The IDF also released footage of the mothers of the three women watching their transfer into Israel.
Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages over five weeks in phase one of the cease-fire agreement. Israel will in turn release 90 Palestinian prisoners.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Israel has confirmed that it received three hostages from Red Cross custody in the first exchange with Hamas since a cease-fire began on Sunday.
Israel says the three women appear to be in good health, but they will undergo medical examinations at a military base immediately upon their arrival. The women were in Hamas custody for 471 days.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog celebrated their return in a statement.
“Romi, Emily, and Doron – so beloved and missed – an entire nation rejoices at your return,” Herzog said. “We send you and your families a huge embrace. This is a day of joy and comfort, and the beginning of a challenging journey of recovery and healing together.”
“At this moment, our hearts are with all the anxious and grieving families whose loved ones have not yet returned. We will not rest or be silent until we bring back all our sisters and brothers from the hell of captivity in Gaza – the living to their families, and the fallen and murdered to be laid to rest in dignity,” he added.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
President Biden marked the beginning of Israel’s cease-fire with Hamas on Sunday after three Israeli hostages were released.
Biden claimed credit for the cease-fire agreement, saying it was the same one he proposed in May of 2024.
“It now falls to the next administration to help implement this deal,” Biden said, adding that he would not be taking questions.
The Israeli government welcomed home three hostages who had been held in Gaza by Hamas
“The Israeli government embraces the three returned hostages. Their families were informed by the appointed officials they joined our forces,” the government said in a statement.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
The Red Cross delivered the first batch of hostages out of Gaza and into Israeli custody on Sunday after the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took effect.
Israel exchanged dozens of Palestinian prisoners for three female hostages, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. The three women are said to be in good health.
They are the first of 33 hostages set to be released over the first phase of the cease-fire, which is set to last five weeks. In exchange, Israel has agreed to release 90 Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli government decided that the Israel Defense Force will remain in Gaza until the last hostage is freed, but they will move back to a security zone along the Gaza border that provides security for residents living there.
The plan is a new defense approach and is still being finalized under the IDF’s Southern Command.
Fox News’ Brie Stimson contributed to this report
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Israel advocate Hillel Fuld joined “Fox & Friends Weekend” to discuss Israel’s deal to exchange hostages for Hamas terrorists on Sunday.
The cease-fire agreement went into effect Sunday morning and Israel is set to receive three hostages in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
Fuld’s brother was killed in 2018 by one of the prisoners who is set to be released in the exchange.
Fuld said Israel will “have to deal with the consequences later,” but emphasized that the priority right now is to bring hostages home.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Hamas has agreed to release three Israeli hostages Sunday as the cease-fire agreement with Israel takes effect.
The three women are the first of 33 hostages set to be released by Hamas.
Romi Gonen, 24 years old, lives in Kfar Vradim. She loves dancing, traveling, and enjoying life. Friends and family describe her as energetic, funny, family-oriented, and full of life. On Oct. 7th, she was kidnapped from the Nova Festival. Romi has four siblings and two loving parents, Meirav and Eitan.
Doron Steinbrecher, 31 years old, is from Kfar Gaza. Doron is a veterinary nurse who has cared for animals since childhood, when she helped at the school’s petting zoo. She loves sports, especially running, and goes for early morning runs around the kibbutz every Saturday. Her family describes her as a devoted aunt who is especially loved by her nephews. Her parents are Roni and Simona, and she has one sister, Yamit and one brother, Dor.
Emily Damari, 28 years old, is a British citizen living in Kfar Aza. Her friends describe her as well-loved and popular, a friend to everyone. Emily enjoys barbecuing, karaoke nights, and loves hats. She is a central figure in the local Kfar Aza youth community and is always there for her friends. On Oct. 7th, she was kidnapped from her home in Kfar Aza along with her friends Gali and Ziv Berman, who remain in captivity, and Doron Steinbrecher.
Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir resigned Sunday after a cease-fire agreement with Hamas went into effect.
Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party also left Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government coalition.
“With us, a word is a word, we will not agree to a reckless deal. My friends in Otzma Yehudit and I submitted our resignation letters from the government and the coalition this morning,” Ben-Gvir wrote on X, according to a translation.
Ben-Gvir sent a letter to Netanyahu explaining the decision, arguing the cease-fire was a “surrender-to-terror deal.”
“We will not return to the government table without a complete victory against Hamas and the full realization of the war’s goals,” he wrote.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
President-elect Trump hailed the start of the Israel-Hamas cease-fire agreement on Sunday, noting the planned release of three women who were taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7.
“Hostages starting to come out today! Three wonderful young women will be first!” Trump wrote.
Trump’s post refers to hostages Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Demari, 27, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31. Israel confirmed it received the names after a brief delay on Sunday. The hostages are expected to be released later in the day.
Israel will release some 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
After the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect Sunday morning at 11:15 am local time, three female hostages are the first expected to be released.
Israel’s Cabinet approved the deal early Saturday morning for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages captured after Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Phase One of the deal starts on Sunday with the release of the first three hostages and lasts 42 days.
During that time, a total of 33 hostages will be released, with children, women, female soldiers, people over 50, and sick or injured men being prioritized. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners will be sent back to Gaza as well.
Most of the Israeli hostages are believed to still be alive, but their identities won’t be revealed until closer to when they’re released.
Another four hostages will be released on day seven and three more will be released on day 14, with a priority given to women.
Three more hostages will also be released on day 28 and again on day 35.
Between days 35 and 42, hostages Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have both been held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, will be released.
In the last week of phase one, 12 hostages will be released.
On the 16th day of Phase One, negotiations will begin for Phase Two, which is expected to include the release of all remaining Israeli hostages, including young men, soldiers, and fallen soldiers.
Phase Two will start on day 43 and last another 42 days.
The Israeli government decided that the Israel Defense Force will remain in Gaza until the last hostage is freed, but they will move back to a security zone along the Gaza border that provides security for residents living there.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Brie Stimson
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Israel confirmed late Sunday morning a long-awaited cease-fire has gone into effect after a three-hour delay caused by Hamas not releasing the names of the three hostages it plans to release.
The agreement was set to go into effect Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, but was delayed until 11:15 a.m. local time. Jerusalem is seven hours ahead of Eastern time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security situation assessment over the delay in receiving the list of hostages who are expected to be released Sunday morning as part of a cease-fire agreement with Hamas, which eventually provided the names.
Hamas said a couple of hours after the agreement was scheduled to go into effect that it would be releasing hostages Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Demari, 27, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, on Sunday. Israel confirmed it has received the names. The hostages are expected to be released later Sunday.
Earlier, Netanyahu told the Israeli Defense Forces that the cease-fire would not begin until Israel had the list of hostages expected to be freed. Since Hamas had not given the names of the hostages by the time the cease-fire was set to start, the IDF continued to operate, as it was still striking inside Gaza. At least eight Gazans have been killed in IDF strikes since the cease-fire was set to begin, according to a Hamas-run agency.
“As of this morning, Hamas has not fulfilled its obligation, and contrary to the agreement, has not provided the State of Israel with the names of the returning female hostages up to this time. The ceasefire will not come into effect as long as Hamas does not fulfill its obligations,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said earlier on Sunday.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Landon Mion
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
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