First hostages return to Israel as ceasefire with Hamas goes into effect

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Sun Jan 19, 2025, 12:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: NBC News

Jan. 19, 2025, 1:54 AM EST / Updated Jan. 19, 2025, 12:04 PM EST


TEL AVIV — The first hostages released from the Gaza Strip were in Israel on Sunday evening, hours after a long-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect and halted Israeli military operations after 15 months of brutal conflict.

Many hope the hard-fought reprieve from the fighting will usher in a more permanent end to the war.

President Joe Biden celebrated the safe return of three female hostages — the first in a coordinated effort expected to continue in the coming days — and said a ceasefire was reached due to "the pressure Israel put on Hamas backed by the United States." "Today, the guns in Gaza have gone silent," Biden said in televised remarks.

Hundreds of aid trucks were beginning to enter Gaza, which has been devastated by airstrikes and shelling in the wake of Israel's response to Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas led a cross-border terrorist attack that Israeli officials say killed 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken as hostages.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ceasefire-israel-hamas-gaza-hostage-release-palestinian-rcna188248

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Article updated.

Original article/headline -

Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in effect in Gaza; first hostages released

Jan. 19, 2025, 1:54 AM EST / Updated Jan. 19, 2025, 10:50 AM EST


TEL AVIV — The long-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect in the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning, with the release of the first hostages and a halt to Israeli military operations after 15 months of conflict. Many hope the hard-fought reprieve from the fighting will usher in a more permanent end to the war.

Gazans took the rare opportunity to see what, if anything, was left of their homes. NBC News crews in Gaza captured large crowds of families moving near Rafah, in southern Gaza, mostly on foot. One family was riding on a cart pulled by a donkey. “To Rafah, to Rafah, inside, in Gaza,” a smiling young boy exclaims as he steered the cart.

And three female hostages were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross just after 5 p.m. local time, to be taken to Israel.

In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, a crowd cheered and clapped as the news came in that the hostages were in Red Cross custody. The released hostages are all young women: Doron Steinbrecher, 31, taken from kibbutz Kfar Aza on Oct. 7, a veterinary nurse; Romi Gonen, 24, taken from the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7; and Emily Damari, 28, a British Israeli citizen taken from kibbutz Kfar Aza on Oct. 7 and a key figure in the kibbutz’s youth community.

[Dave Bowman]

1. I hope that it will last for as long as possible.

[GreenWave]

2. Gee, shades of Iran freeing hostages on repug inaug day all over again.

[LisaM]

3. Three hostages? That's it?

They are all young women and we can only imagine the horrors they endured.

[Richard D]

4. They are only releasing a few at a time . . .

. . . alive or dead. And for each hostage released, 30 Hamas prisoners, murderers, rapists, terrorists, etc., will be released from Israeli prisons.

[LisaM]

5. Yes, I saw the exchange rate.

Let's see if kids take to the college campuses to celebrate the release of members of Hamas.

[Richard D]

6. This is vide of the handover in Gaza to the "red cross"

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFA8rKyPhbJ/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

I will abstain from giving my reaction other than to say that I am glad that the release process has started.

[endgenocide]

7. I'm glad that families in Gaza and the West Bank and in Israel are finally going to be re-united with their loved ones.

I notice here in our US corporate media the Israelis being held by Hamas are referred to as hostages but Palestinians (many women and children) who have been held in Israel without trial some for years are referred to as "prisoners". In my mind if you have been held in confinement without a fair trial you are a hostage! The people being held by Hamas are hostages, Brittney Griner was a hostage Paul Whelen was a hostage and the Palestinians held without trial in Israel are hostages.

[Lulu KC]

9. Alternatives?

I just took a quick glance at stories from France, Canada, UK, Israel, Australia, and South Africa. Al-Jazeera calls the Palestinian prisoners "prisoners" and the hostages "captives." South African source uses "hostages" and "Palestinians imprisoned." Otherwise, terminology is the same as US news sources.

[endgenocide]

10. My comment was provoked by a story I saw on CNN

this morning where they referred to the Israelis being released as hostages and the Palestinians some women and children (their exact words) being released as prisoners. If you say the bias against Palestinians is universal than I will take your word for it.

[manicdem]

8. Day 1 of 42, then back to war

I don't see this getting past phase 1 of the ceasefire since both sides are far apart. Israel will destroy Hamas. Hamas wants the destruction of Israel. Not much middle ground there.

But glad to see Biden was able to get at least some of the hostages released back to their families.