Four female Israeli hostages who have been held in Gaza have been handed over as part of the ceasefire deal and reunited with their families. Tears and cheers have been heard in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv following the news,

Three hostages and 90 prisoners were released in the first swap. The ceasefire halted the war which began when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken back to Gaza as hostages.

Israeli army video shows the parents of four female soldier hostages erupt in cheers as they watch their release from Hamas to the Red Cross. Video credit: Israeli Army handout.

Names of the next four Israeli hostages to be released, are expected to be announced Friday, and Americans, Sagui Dekel-Chen of Connecticut, and Keith Siegel of North Carolina, might be among them.