The first seven of the released hostages - Matan Angrest, brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor, Omri Miran, and Guy Gilboa-Dal - have crossed the border into Israel after 738 days in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, according to the IDF.
The seven former captives were escorted out of the Gaza Strip by a unit of Sayeret Matkal commandos after being handed over by the Red Cross. 

According to the IDF, the group has now reached an Israeli border post, where they are undergoing initial physical and psychological evaluations before reuniting with their families. The military said that the return operation was conducted under strict security and medical supervision. 

A second and final batch of another 13 living hostages is being prepared for transfer later in the day, according to reports. The ICRC team overseeing the exchange has already arrived at the designated handover site, Al-Araby reported. 

Initially slated to Khan Younis, the exchange site was changed to a less populous zone which is located somewhere between the southern and central parts of the Gaza Strip, a reportedly closed enclave, with no clearance for either the general public or the media. 
The return of the first seven marks a significant development in the unfolding US brokered ceasefire deal, mandating Hamas terrorists to hand over all surviving hostages and the remains of those killed by midday today.

 

 

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