The first seven of the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas after more than 783 days in captivity in Gaza, according to the Israeli military.
The group were handed over to the Red Cross ahead of being reunited with their families at the Re’im reception point near the Gaza border.
They were named by Israeli media as Matan Engerst, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Alon Ohel, Gali and Zivi Berman, Eitan Mor and Omari Moran.
Israeli ministers had approved overnight a list of 1,718 Palestinian prisoners set to be released as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.
Thousands of people gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Monday morning roared their approval as it was announced from a stage that the first seven live hostages had been released to the Red Cross.
Jude Frajdenrajch, 55, waving an Israeli flag, said: “I have been coming here every Saturday to the square. I just wanted to see them come out.”
Before boarding Air Force One ahead of his visit to Jerusalem where he will address the Knesset later on Monday, the Israeli parliament, US president Donald Trump had declared the war in Gaza “over”.
More to follow …