This is the chilling moment a British-Israeli and two other women are surrounded by Hamas terrorists as they board a Red Cross van during a handover.
Chaotic footage captured the scenes of the first Israeli hostage release since the long-awaited ceasefire took effect today.
In dramatic clips shared on social media, Hamas troops are seen donning camouflage gear and brandishing guns as they gather outside a Red Cross rescue vehicle as three hostages are released after 417 days of captivity.
In one video, dozens of heavily armed Hamas fighters can be heard shouting at crowds in Gaza and pushing them away as the white van tries to push through.
Another clip of the exchange shows Hamas members clamoring for the car and shouting at the open doors where the hostages are.
They could be seen struggling to control the crowd as they tried to push them away from the path of the Red Cross convoy, which was carrying three female hostages.
On Sunday, Hamas confirmed the names of the first three hostages released, including British Emily Damari, 28, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24.
All three were kidnapped during Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 and are now being returned to their families.
Chaotic footage captured the scenes of the first Israeli hostage release since the long-awaited ceasefire took effect today
Al-Qassam Brigades hands over British-Israeli Emily Damari to the Red Cross
Members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) speak with fighters from the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in Saraya Square in western Gaza City on January 19, 2025
The Israeli military said the Red Cross had confirmed the transfer of three hostages on January 19, the first to be released as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
In one video, dozens of heavily armed Hamas fighters can be heard shouting at crowds in Gaza and pushing them away as the white van tries to push through
The trio are accompanied by IDF special forces as they return to Israeli territory.
There are thirty other names on the list, including women, men and children, and all will be released in the first phase of the ceasefire.
It comes as Hamas militants brazenly emerged from their hideouts to celebrate a new ceasefire with Israel, brazenly parading through the streets of Gaza on Sunday brandishing AK-47s and flying green flags of the group waved.
Just hours before the hostages were handed over, there were startling images of masked fighters in camouflage and balaclavas, some standing on vehicles and others marching defiantly through towns reduced to rubble after months of intense fighting.
The ceasefire, which came into effect at 11:15 a.m. local time, brings a temporary pause after 15 months of bloodshed.
But the scenes of Hamas militants openly celebrating have sparked international outrage and renewed fears that the terror group has managed to maintain its strength despite Israel's efforts to dismantle it.
The sight of Hamas militants openly celebrating the ceasefire has drawn condemnation from many quarters, with critics calling it a mockery of the lives lost and continued suffering of hostages and their families.
Militants were seen standing on top of the vehicle, brandishing their guns
One of the Israeli hostages leaves a vehicle to be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) during the hostage-prisoner exchange
Al-Qassam Brigades hands over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in al-Saraya as part of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas in Gaza City
The campaign group Hostage and Missing Families Forum had identified the three women to be released as Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher, who were seized during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war.
“These images are a slap in the face to everyone who has suffered the brutality of Hamas,” said one observer.
“It shows that they show no remorse and are ready to fight again.”
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, outlines a complex roadmap for de-escalation.
Dozens of hostages are expected to be returned over the next six weeks, with four to be released on the seventh day of the ceasefire, with more releases taking place every week.
In return, Israel has agreed to allow more humanitarian aid to Gaza, including 600 truckloads of supplies daily, 50 of which carry crucial fuel to address the humanitarian crisis.
In the first phase, Hamas will release hostage women and children in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have not yet been convicted or tried.
In the second phase, the remaining hostages, including male soldiers, will be released in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners.
The final phase, which will begin after the complete cessation of hostilities, will focus on reconciliation and reconstruction.
This includes efforts to locate and return the bodies of hostages who did not survive their captivity, as well as a long-term plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, overseen by international authorities.
