Thirty-three hostages are set to be released in the ceasefire's first phase.
Many residents of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon are expected to return to their homes in the coming days and weeks, with most of the fighting in both areas paused under Israeli ceasefire agreements with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Under Israel's multi-phased deal with Hamas, some hostages held in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have started to be released. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to continue amid the first phase of the deal, which was slated to last about six weeks.
The spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing has announced the names of three hostages the group will release on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Among them is U.S.-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel and Israeli national Yarden Bibas, the husband of Shiri Bibas, according to a statement from Hamas.
Seven more hostages have been released on Thursday morning, according to a joint statement from the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency.
"According to information communicated by the Red Cross, seven hostages, including two Israelis and five foreign nationals, were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip."
The Israel Defense Forces have issued a statement confirming that Agam Berger is now back in Israel and undergoing an "initial medical assessment."
"The returning hostage, IDF Soldier Agam Berger, has arrived at the initial reception point in southern Israel where she is being reunited with her family," the statement said. "IDF officers from the Manpower Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostage, and she will undergo an initial medical assessment."
IDF representatives are accompanying the rest of her family waiting at the hospital and will be updating them with the latest available information, the IDF confirmed.
The family of Agam Berger has released a statement after she was escorted out of the Gaza Strip by Israeli special forces early Wednesday morning.
"Thank God we have reached this moment, and our hero Agam has returned to us after 482 days in enemy hands," the statement said. "Our daughter is strong, faithful, and brave. We want to thank the security forces and all the people of Israel for their support and prayers. Now Agam and our family can begin the healing process, but the recovery will not be complete until all the hostages return home."
