Israel army says Red Cross confirms handover of three hostages

"The Red Cross has communicated that the three Israeli hostages were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF (military) and ISA (security agency) forces in the Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.

Family members of Israeli hostages taken captive by Palestinian Hams militants in the Gaza Strip, deliver a statement to the media in Tel Aviv on January 17, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
Family members of Israeli hostages taken captive by Palestinian Hams militants in the Gaza Strip, deliver a statement to the media in Tel Aviv on January 17, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

JERUSALEM (AFP) - The Israeli military said the Red Cross had confirmed the handover of three hostages on Sunday, the first to be released as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

"The Red Cross has communicated that the three Israeli hostages were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF (military) and ISA (security agency) forces in the Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.

A Hamas official moments earlier told AFP that the hostages had been handed over to the Red Cross at Al-Saraya Square in western Gaza City.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum campaign group had identified the three women set to be released as Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher, seized during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war.