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

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

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