Hamas releases two Israeli hostages to Red Cross under Gaza ceasefire deal

There is almost nothing left of Gaza,

Witkoff told Axios, estimating that full reconstruction could take 10 to 15 years

Imagine being in the depths of hell and still trying to find one thing each day that you are thankful for,

she said, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum

The situation of the prisoners is very difficult, and we hope for their urgent release,

Zubeidi said at a gathering in Ramallah on Friday

Our Yarden is supposed to return tomorrow, and we are so excited, but Shiri and the children still haven't come home."

The Bibas family meanwhile wrote on Instagram

It is an indescribable joy that words cannot capture, and my body trembles with it."

Upon seeing her brother among those freed on Thursday, Maha al-Barai, a Palestinian woman from the West Bank, said

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, together with Defense Minister Israel Katz, has ordered that the release of the terrorists slated to be released today be delayed until the safe exit of our hostages in the next phases is assured. Israel demands that the mediators see to this,

the Israel PM Office said in a statement

However, they haven’t yet been released, and Israeli forces have said in the past that they are concerned about their wellbeing,

Khan said

This includes the release of Arbel Yehud, which was criticised as completely disorganised and lacking the dignity expected during such sensitive moments,

he said

He’s interesting for two reasons. One is that there was a sticking point between Israel and Hamas in these negotiations, and that was whether to release men under 50. At first, Hamas didn’t want to do that. They wanted to release civilians, women and youth first, but then they decided to [yield] to that point,

she said

We have both the sacred duty and moral right to bring all our brothers and sisters home. We will not give up or stop at any stage until all hostages return home, down to the last one."

The Hostages Families Forum stated

Joseph E. Aounlebanese President

Egypt is very keen on confirming the need for a full and complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, without taking away a single inch of Lebanese sovereignty and territory.”

Following talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Abdelatty told reporters

The IDF continues to be committed to the understandings reached regarding the ceasefire in Lebanon, ... and will not allow the execution of terrorist plots of this type.”

its statement said

We said then, and we say now: we hold on to hope and continue waiting for their return. We await clarity regarding their condition.”

Relatives of the Bibas family said in a statement

Benjamin Netanyahuprime Minister

Whoever dares to harm our captives - his blood will be on his head,

wrote Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the swap

Mirjana Spoljaric EggeriCRC President

The security of these operations must be assured, and we urge for improvements in the future,

ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric said

I just visited him behind the glass in Israeli prisons. I cannot express my feelings,

Raghda said

To get him back has been the one thing that has been the missing piece of their puzzle of recovery,

Kalderon's cousin, Jason Greenberg told NBC Boston

How this happens will influence our ability to get to phase-two of the deal,

Witkoff said

It's hard to imagine anybody being able to endure that long and even come back the same person,

Greenberg 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