Two Israeli hostages handed over to Red Cross by Hamas militants

The commanders and soldiers of the IDF salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to Israel,

the IDF said

France is doing everything in its power to secure his immediate release,

he said

We have both the sacred duty and moral right to bring all our brothers and sisters home,

they said

When I see him, I’m going to give him a hug and tell him to come home,

he told the BBC

If he had died, we would have had a body to hold a ceremony,

she said

During the release of our hostages today, we all saw shocking sights. We made it clear to the mediators that we do not intend to accept any risk to our hostages. And I add to that: whoever dares to harm our hostages – may his blood be on his head,

he said in a televised statement

We're responsible for over half of deliveries inside the Gaza Strip. Over half of the aid coming in. UNRWA has been described repeatedly, not by ourselves, but by others as the backbone of the international aid operation. Because the rest of the aid operation is just the UN presence, is just a few hundred people. Without UNRWA being able to operate, there's a very real risk of this humanitarian operation collapsing,

Fowler said

After initial evaluation, I'm happy to say that his condition is quite good and stable. It allows him to spend the first hours here with his family in a private environment, they can talk, they can be together, they can rest a little from this very exciting and not easy day,

said Professor Gil Fire, the deputy director of the Ichilov Medical Centre

It's like a nightmare scenario. And it's also completely outlandish that a member state of the United Nations system would choose to undo the mandate of an organisation which, let's not forget, is mandated by the UN General Assembly,

said UNRWA spokesperson, Jonathan Fowler

When I got the call on (Wednesday, Jan 29) evening from the Thai Embassy (in Tel Aviv) that five Thai hostages will be released, I was really happy. I couldn’t sleep all night,

he told CNA, his voice shaking with emotion

In their souls, they will continue to remain in the tunnels for a long time,

she wrote

They took everything away that defines them as humans, especially privacy and autonomy, and it’s a challenge to help them regain that,

she said

The elevator doors opened and I got my family, reborn,

he said

I’m still not able to really take care of myself,

she said

You’re used to hostage conditions, so whenever you get food you put some to the side. You ask if you can go to the bathroom, if you can sleep,

she said

We feel obligated to give them the option to do whatever they feel right,

he said

It’s finally starting. Our heroes are starting to come out, and they’re leaving on their own two feet,

she said

I thought this was going to be my life forever, that I was going to be a doll for Hamas terrorists, I’d end up having babies with them, I wanted to just smash my head into the wall and die,

she said

I now know for sure that he is coming home and that he is alive and safe,

says Wiwwaeo

I told my son to keep strong – let’s wait for dad. He asked ‘how long?’ I said maybe next Saturday, there might be a release,

says Narissara