"The hostage release started shortly before President Trump landed in Israel, as part of a Middle East trip aimed at cementing his Gaza peace plan. Driving the news: Hamas had to release all 20 of the live hostages by Monday at noon local time, according to the agreement. Eventually, the first group of seven hostages was released shortly after 8am local time. The hostages were transferred by Hamas to the Red Cross, which will deliver them to Israeli forces inside Gaza."
"All the live hostages spent most of the past two years in underground tunnels, with very little food and water and almost no medical care for the wounds they suffered during Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks. Israeli officials are concerned that many of them may be in very poor health. Zoom in: As part of the agreement, Hamas must also retrieve the bodies of 28 deceased hostages, among them two Americans: Itay Chen and Omer Neutra."
Hostage releases began shortly before President Trump landed in Israel during his Middle East trip. Hamas agreed to free 20 live hostages by Monday noon; seven were released after 8am and 13 expected at 10am. Released hostages were transferred to the Red Cross, then to Israeli forces and a military base for family reunions and hospital treatment. Live hostages spent most of two years in underground tunnels with minimal food, water, or medical care, raising health concerns. The deal requires Hamas to retrieve 28 bodies and creates a multinational task force. In exchange Israel will free roughly 250 lifers and 1,700 Gaza detainees, but not Oct. 7 attackers.
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