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TEL AVIV – Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Sunday to witness the long-awaited release of three Israeli hostages, marking the first transfer under the new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
The crowd, estimated at nearly 2,000 people, anxiously watched a large screen broadcasting live footage from Gaza as Hamas gunmen escorted the hostages—Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari, and Romi Gonen—to the Red Cross for transfer to Israel.
The atmosphere was tense as the masked militants struggled to control the throng of onlookers in Gaza City. As the first images of the hostages emerged, the crowd in Tel Aviv erupted in brief applause before falling silent, their concern evident as the three women, appearing shaken, remained surrounded by their captors.
Moments later, confirmation came from Israeli authorities that the hostages were safely in Israeli hands. A surge of relief swept through the plaza as IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari declared, “They are in our hands. They are coming home.”
To mark the moment, yellow balloons—symbolizing solidarity with the hostages—were released into the sky, forming the shape of a ribbon, a widely recognized emblem of the ongoing campaign to bring all captives home.
A video later released by the IDF captured the emotional reactions of the hostages’ families, who erupted in tears, cheers, and embraces as they watched their loved ones being transported back to Israel.
Despite the joy of the moment, the gathering in Hostages Square quickly turned into a renewed call for action. Chants of “Everyone—now!” echoed through the plaza, as demonstrators urged the Israeli government to secure the release of all remaining captives.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an organization advocating for those still in captivity, released a statement following the women’s return: “Their release is a beacon of hope, a triumph of the human spirit. But our work is not done. We will not rest until every last hostage is home.”
Fragile Ceasefire Amid Delays and Tension
The release of the hostages comes as part of a three-phase ceasefire deal brokered through extensive international mediation efforts. Under the first phase, Hamas has agreed to release a total of 33 captives over 42 days in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
However, negotiations leading up to the ceasefire were fraught with uncertainty. On Sunday, Hamas twice missed the deadline to provide Israel with a list of hostages set for release, delaying the ceasefire’s implementation.
Israeli forces refused to halt operations until Hamas confirmed the names, raising concerns that the deal could collapse before taking effect.
Dozens Still in Captivity
Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack on southern Israel, 91 remain in Gaza, including at least 34 whose deaths have been confirmed by the IDF.
Prior to this ceasefire, Hamas had released 105 civilians during a brief truce in late November, and four hostages were freed in earlier negotiations. Israeli military forces have rescued eight hostages alive, while the bodies of 40 captives—including three mistakenly killed by IDF fire—have been recovered.
Additionally, Hamas continues to hold two Israeli civilians who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015, as well as the body of an IDF soldier killed in 2014. Another soldier’s remains were recently retrieved by Israeli forces in a covert military operation.
As celebrations unfolded in Tel Aviv, many families remained focused on those still in captivity. “Tonight, three families are whole again,” one demonstrator said. “But so many are still waiting.”
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members