Buses bearing the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) emblem move from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip toward the eastern region on the 13th (local time). AFP=Yonhap News. 

The last surviving Israeli hostages taken by the Palestinian militant group Hamas began to be released sequentially on the morning of the 13th (local time).

Following a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, Israel announced that Hamas had handed over the first 7 of the 20 surviving hostages scheduled for release to the Red Cross on this day.

This marks 737 days since Hamas kidnapped them during a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. While it is reported that the freed hostages do not have any major health issues, their specific conditions have yet to be confirmed.

Once the Red Cross hands the hostages over to Israeli security forces, the military plans to transport them to Israel for reunions with their families, followed by helicopter transfers to hospitals within the country.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, "Several hostages are scheduled to be handed over at a transfer point in the northern Gaza Strip," adding that "the military is prepared to receive additional hostages scheduled to be handed over to the Red Cross in the future."

The release took place in accordance with the first phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on the 10th following a peace initiative led by U.S. President Donald Trump.

 People gather holding Israeli flags in front of a military base near Re'im in southern Israel on the 13th (local time), ahead of the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. AP=Yonhap News. 

The ceasefire agreement includes a provision for Hamas to repatriate all hostages, regardless of their survival status, by noon on this day, within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect.

Hamas abducted a total of 251 people during their raid on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Of these, 48 are reported to have been held in the Gaza Strip until recently, including 20 survivors and the remains of deceased hostages (including the remains of one person kidnapped before the Gaza war).

Following the release of these survivors, the remains of the remaining 28 individuals are also scheduled to be handed over.

Alongside the release of the hostages by Hamas, Israel is set to release 1,966 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 individuals serving life sentences.

Following the first phase of the hostage-prisoner exchange, the second phase will involve discussions on the disarmament of Hamas, the phased withdrawal of the Israeli military, and the establishment of a Palestinian civilian government.

However, observers suggest that the second phase will not be easy, as neither Israel nor Hamas appears ready for a comprehensive agreement at this time.

 Citizens cheer for the release of hostages at 'Hostage Square' in Tel Aviv, Israel, on the 13th (local time). Reuters=Yonhap News. 

The release of the hostages comes ahead of President Trump's visit to Israel. President Trump is scheduled to meet with families of those who were held by Hamas in Tel Aviv and deliver a speech at the Israeli parliament.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on Instagram that the President watched the scene of the hostages' release while aboard Air Force One en route to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote a personal letter to the returning hostages. In the letter, he wrote, "On behalf of the people of Israel, welcome home! We have been waiting for you, and we now hold you warmly in our embrace."

According to the Prime Minister's Office, this letter is part of a "welcome kit" that will be given to the returning hostages. The kits include clothing, personal items, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets.

As reports surfaced that the hostages had come under the protection of the Red Cross, their families and friends burst into cheers and could not hide their joy.

Across Israel, countless people watched the transfer process live. Citizens gathered at 'Hostage Square' in Tel Aviv cheered and applauded as the names of the released hostages were read out on the broadcast.

Yonhap News