Israel-Hamas live updates: Israel signals start of Gaza ceasefire after delay; Hamas names first hostages set for release
NBCJAN 18
Hamas Releases Three Israeli Hostages as Cease-Fire Begins
Above: One of the Israeli hostages exits a vehicle during the hostage-prisoner exchange operation in Saraya Square in western Gaza City on Jan. 19, 2025. Image copyright: Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday confirmed that Hamas has handed over three hostages — Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher — to the International Committee for the Red Cross in Gaza as part of the cease-fire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
The IDF said the hostages — taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack in 2023 — underwent an initial medical assessment at its facility near the border and were in "good" condition. The women have been reunited with their mothers and returned to Israeli territory.
A senior Hamas official told AFP that the hostages were "officially handed over to the Red Cross at al-Saraya Square in the al-Rimal neighborhood in western Gaza City." The truce was initially set to start at 6.30 am GMT, but was delayed for nearly three hours due to Hamas' failure to provide West Jerusalem with a list of hostages for "technical reasons" and "complexities of the field situation."
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
Though Israel wants nothing more than to see all the hostages released, this cease-fire and hostage deal isn't in the country's best interest. The next Yahya Sinwar — Hamas' slain leader and the architect of Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel — might be among the insane, despicable, jihadist murderous terrorists Tel Aviv is being forced to free. Unfortunately, Israel may pay for this deal in blood many years down the road.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Though a cease-fire was long overdue, the Israel-Palestinian "conflict" isn't over, and Israel's occupation and apartheid system will remain. This war has proved that the Palestinian cause can't be dealt with via normalization agreements between Arab autocrats and Israel. Regardless of what happens next, Gaza has been destroyed, and Palestinians will continue to struggle for their liberation.
Metaculus Prediction
The Controversies
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