Three Israeli hostages were released to the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) on Sunday following a ceasefire deal between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
The three freed hostages, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari, were released by Hamas to the IDF on Sunday, the military announced on X. The trio entered Israeli territory soon after, where they received medical treatment and evaluation.
Israel is expected to release around 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday through a deal announced by President Biden earlier this week.
The freed hostages were reportedly in good health, according to the Red Cross, who helped facilitate the exchange, according to the IDF.
In October 2023, Romi Gonen, 24, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, and Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
Their release comes amid the ceasefire in Gaza, which took effect early Sunday. It is the first step in ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
The Associated Press contributed.
