The US presidential plane “Air Force One“, with President Donald Trump on board, landed in Israel at the same time it was reported that the first group of freed Israeli hostages was already on Israeli territory. The news was reported by “Reuters“, BTA reports.
Seven live hostages, including Matan Angrest, who has Bulgarian citizenship, were handed over today by the Palestinian Islamist movement “Hamas“ to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza. It was later reported that the ICRC had handed over the hostages to the Israeli army.
President Trump's plane flew over Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where thousands of people had gathered to celebrate the release of the first captives. The president is expected to deliver a speech later today in the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
Earlier today, “Hamas“ published a list of the names of the 20 Israeli hostages who will be released as part of the first phase of the agreement with Israel, reported „Reuters“.
It was also announced that Palestinian prisoners were loaded onto buses in Israeli prisons in preparation for the exchange, which will take place in accordance with the agreements between the two countries.
Israel began its military operation in the Gaza Strip after the unprecedented attack by „Hamas“ on October 7, 2023, in which dozens of Israeli citizens were killed and kidnapped.
Last week, Israel and „Hamas“ signed an agreement to cease fire and release hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The exchange marks the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza and achieve a lasting truce.