In a significant development, Hamas has handed over three Israeli captives to the Red Cross, marking the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. The captives, identified as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, were handed over by Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, at Saraya Square in central Gaza City.

The Israeli army confirmed that it was notified by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that the three captives had been handed over. The military said that the three female captives are now in the hands of its forces in Gaza after they were handed over by the Red Cross.

According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the three freed captives are in good health. A large number of Qassam members and their vehicles gathered in central Gaza City during the handover process.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect at 11:15 a.m. local time (0915GMT) on Sunday, after a few hours’ delay due to Israeli accusations that Hamas was delaying the release of a list of captives set to be released. The agreement was originally scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. local time.

The conflict in Gaza has resulted in devastating consequences, with nearly 47,000 people killed, mostly women and children, and over 110,700 others injured since October 7, 2023, according to local health authorities. The Israeli war has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.