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As ceasefire starts, first Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners return home

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Released Israeli hostage Romi Gonen embraces loved ones at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Jan. 19, 2025, after being held in Gaza since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, in this handout image obtained by Reuters. (OSV News photo/Maayan Toaf/GPO/Handout via Reuters) 

On 19 January, crowds gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, celebrating the release of Israeli hostages, people crying with joy watching live feed from their road to freedom.

As the women were transferred from Hamas to the Red Cross, emotions ran high with families embracing one another, weeping and cheering.

In the West Bank, joy was delayed, but after midnight on 20 January, 90 Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli jails.

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Meanwhile, aid trucks began entering Gaza, and displaced residents attempted to return home despite the devastation.

The first Israelis released were Emily Damari, 28, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24, who were kidnapped during 7 October, 2023, Hamas attacks on southern Israeli communities.

Pope Francis praised the ceasefire agreement, and President Biden called it a milestone in negotiations.

Khaleda Jarar, a freed Palestinian prisoner, is greeted after her release from an Israeli jail in Ramallah, West Bank, Jan. 20, 2025, as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel. (OSV News photo/Ammar Awad, Reuters)

The deal includes phased releases of hostages and prisoners, with hopes for peace and humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza.

As joy intertwined with trepidation both in Israel and in the Palestinian territories, Pope Francis said that both Israelis and Palestinians need “clear signs of hope,” as he trusted that their political leaders with the help of the international community would yet be able to reach “the right solution” for the two states.

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