Israel has named the three female hostages who were released Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Jan. 19 that Hamas had released three female hostages amid a fragile cease-fire deal that went into effect early on Jan. 19.
The women released are British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, Israeli hostage Doron Steinbrecher, and Israeli hostage Romi Gonen.
The Red Cross had earlier confirmed that the three hostages had been transferred to them and were on their way toward the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Securities Authority (ISA) in the Gaza Strip.
In a joint statement, the IDF and the ISA confirmed the hostage transfer.
“The three released hostages are being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment,” they wrote.
“The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the released hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel.”
In a press conference after Israel confirmed the hostage transfer, President Joe Biden said the deal he proposed last May “has finally come to fruition.”
“The cease-fire has gone into effect in Gaza, and today we’re seeing hostages being released,” Biden said. “Three Israeli women held against their will in the dark tunnels for 470 days,” Biden said from South Carolina on Jan. 19.
“In this first phase, we pray for them and their families for [there’s] going to be a long recovery,” he said, adding that a second phase would begin by the 16th day of deal talks, which would include the release of Israeli soldiers.
“And after so much pain, destruction, loss of life, today, the guns in Gaza have gone silent,” Biden said. “I’ve worked in foreign policy for decades, and this is one of the toughest negotiations I’ve been part of.”
Israel repeatedly said throughout the night of Jan. 18 and into the morning of Jan. 19 that it was yet to receive the list of hostage names from Hamas agreed to in the cease-fire deal. According to the agreement, Hamas was meant to have provided the names of hostages to be released 24 hours ahead of time. The first release was expected around 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, local media said.
By Melanie Sun and Jacob Burg
