The deal ushers in an initial six-week period of calm and raises hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the war.

And three female hostages were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross just after 5 p.m. local time, to be taken to Israel. In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, a crowd cheered and clapped as the news came in that the hostages were in Red Cross custody.

Watch live as crowds gather in Tel Aviv as the Israel and Hamas ceasefire sees hostages released on Sunday (19 January) after 470 days. The first three hostages have today been handed over to the Red Cross,

( JTA) — TEL AVIV — “They are in our hands,” IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on the huge screen that was broadcasting the tense release of the three hostages returned to Israel, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher.

Israelis take to the Tel Aviv streets to watch Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher be released after 471 days in Hamas captivity

Pictures shared by the families showed the first three hostages embracing their mothers. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Seven hostages handed to Red Cross by Hamas as exchange continues - latest - Israeli hostage Arbel Yehoud is among eight hostages handed over to Red Cross

Thousands of Israelis cheered and wept in Tel Aviv on Jan. 19 as they watched live video showing three hostages being released under a ceasefire deal.

Watch again as crowds gathered in Tel Aviv as the Israel and Hamas ceasefire saw the first hostages released on Sunday (19 January) after 470 days. The first three hostage were handed over to the Red Cross,

There is a “palpable” sense of relief among Israelis Sunday afternoon as images of Hamas handing over the three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross are broadcasted, FRANCE 24’s Noga Tarnopolsky said, reporting from Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square where many Israelis have gathered to follow the latest news of the planned hostage-prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas.

The organization representing families of hostages held in the Gaza strip is celebrating the news that three male hostages would be released Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas militants kidnapped 31 Thai nationals during the assault on southern Israel, making them the largest group of foreigners held captive.