Quotes
We are delighted to finally say that Romi is a former hostage. The reality we summoned and acted (hoped) for her has materialised and we became a family of returnees,
added Gonen
We also wanted to thank the incoming US President, Mr. Donald Trump, thanks to his brave stand with Israel and strengthening the human good in the world, has pushed for this moment,
noted Meirav GonenWe’ve reached this moment after too much time and without (US President Donald) Trump’s involvement it wouldn’t happen,
said Yamit Ashkenazi, sister of released hostage Doron SteinbrecherI open with thanks to the Israeli government and to the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu), with courage and values, a decision was taken to move forward an important process like no other, returning the sons and daughters to our borders,
said Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of released hostage Romi Gonen
We are committed to dismantling Hamas and bringing every hostage home.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear this ceasefire is temporary, emphasising
Thank God, I am here with my family, I'm satisfied,
Bara'a Al-Fuqha, a Palestinian hostage and medical student at Al-Quds University said ... she said
We are in an alternate reality in these hours, shutting out the outside world, a time in which there is nothing but family,
Merav Leshem Gonen, Romi's Gonen's mother said ... she posted on Facebook on Monday, after reuniting with her daughter Sunday evening near the Gaza borderMore families are waiting anxiously for their loved ones to come home. We call on all parties to continue to adhere to their commitments to ensure the next operations can take place safely. Our teams are ready to continue to implement the agreement so that more hostages and detainees are released, and more families reunited."
She continued
We are relieved that those released can be reunited with their loved ones. Ensuring their safe return and providing the necessary care at this critical moment is a great responsibility,
said Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red CrossIt would be the best present we could have for the deal to be agreed and they return home.”
Ahead of the deal, his cousin Eylon Keshet, 31, saidWe miss them so much. And I am terrified, even of the best case scenario, because if they all come home alive they will come back as very broken people as we know of the hideous conditions that they're kept in.”
Eylon, of Tel Aviv, saidThey’re coming in.”
Ofri’s last ever communication with her brother was a heart-stopping text she got from him at 9:43am that day which readAcknowledgment of Receipt of Israeli Prisoners.” ... I, the representative of the International Red Cross, acknowledge that I have received from the Izz Eddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, a total of three prisoners,”
During the handover, a Red Cross representative was asked to sign an Arabic-language document that read ... The document stated
Only if we bring everyone back will we know that this is our country, that this is the country I at least dreamed of, leaving no one behind,
she addedGreat pride, great joy, alongside pain and hope that this is a start to bring everyone back, leaving no one behind,
said Yafa Twito, another Tel Aviv resident
The feelings are mixed because all of the people of Israel and myself have gone through a very difficult time, and our heart still cries out for all the wounded and martyrs who lost their lives for the sake of the return of the hostages, for the sake of the existence of the country, perhaps,
said Tel Aviv resident Ora Golan
We assess that Hamas has recruited almost as many new militants as it has lost. That is a recipe for an enduring insurgency and perpetual war,
Blinken said recently
[T ... T]oday the guns in Gaza are silent" and this deal was "one of the toughest negotiations I have been a part of."
President Joe Biden spoke late on Sunday morning, praising the deal.jpg)
There's this double feeling we're living in, on the one hand, this feeling of freedom, that we thank everyone for, and on the other hand, this pain, of losing so many Palestinian martyrs
Khalida Jarrar, a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine who was arrested in late 2023 and is the most prominent of the Palestinian detainees freed, told The Associated PressThis is a moment of tremendous hope...Fragile, yet vital."
U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has said