Gaza ceasefire LIVE: Hamas hands over hostages including Brit Emily Damari to Red Cross

Brother-in-law of hostage cried when hostage release confirmed

Stephen Brisley, whose brother-in-law is also a hostage, bonded with Ms Damari's family over their shared experiences, and said he cried when he saw she had been named as one of the hostages to be released. Mr Brisley, who is originally from Bristol but lives in South Wales, said: "I'm not ashamed to say that I shed more than a few tears a couple of hours ago when it was confirmed, particularly that Emily was coming out, because I have that personal connection with Mandy, her mum, and have spent time with her and with members of her wider family, her aunt and uncle. I know what this means to them, and so I'm incredibly pleased and joyous for them."

PM Keir Starmer hails release of hostages as 'wonderful'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The release of three hostages today is wonderful and long-overdue news after months of agony for them and their families. Among them is British citizen Emily Damari, who will now be reunited with her family, including her mother Amanda who has never stopped her tireless fight to bring her daughter home.

“I wish them all the very best as they begin the road to recovery after the intolerable trauma they have experienced. We stand ready to offer assistance and support.

“However, today also represents another day of suffering for those who haven’t made it home yet - so while this ceasefire deal should be welcomed, we must not forget about those who remain in captivity under Hamas.

"We must now see the remaining phases of the ceasefire deal implemented in full and on schedule, including the release of those remaining hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a permanent and peaceful solution.”

UN Secretary-General says he 'stands ready to support' ceasefire

Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire deal.

He posted on Twitter/X: "I welcome the start of the implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza. We stand ready to support this implementation & scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer.

"It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security & political obstacles to delivering aid."

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari gives statement on hostage release

Daniel Hagari has confirmed the three women are being brought to a facility near the border for an initial check-up before being taken to hospital.

During a press conference he says the former hostages - Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher - "are now in safe hands".

"They are in our hands. They are coming home," he added.

They’re home. pic.twitter.com/PHkJ3yZLrV

UN Women releases statement on historic ceasefire deal

UN Women has released a statement in response to the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

The United Nations organisation said: "UN Women welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, including the hostage release deal, which went into effect today.

"We join the Secretary-General in expressing hope that all parties will honor their commitments to ensure this agreement paves the way for a lasting peace for women and girls in Palestine, Israel, and the region. The news of the ceasefire brings relief for the 1 million women and girls who have lived under continued bombardment, without safety in Gaza for the last 470 days.

"The news of the initial release of hostages brings immense relief to them and their families. The ceasefire agreement marks a crucial step towards stability and peace.

"Urgent humanitarian relief is needed throughout Gaza to alleviate the immense suffering. The conflict has caused death and destruction on an unprecedented scale for everyone in Gaza, with women and girls suffering from specific gendered vulnerabilities throughout it. Women have been at the forefront of humanitarian responses and community action, serving as primary caregivers, heads of households, and leaders in their communities.”

Statement from Emily Damari's family lawyers

British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari has been released by Hamas, her lawyer Adam Wagner said on social media.

In a statement posted on social media, Wagner and Adam Rose, lawyers for the British hostage families, said: “We are delighted that our client, Emily Damari, has finally been released, after over 15 months of captivity by Hamas terrorists. We cannot wait to meet her.

“We are thankful to everyone who has played parts in campaigning for her release, including the British government who have provided support over the past 15 months.

“We request now that the family is allowed some peace and space.

“We continue to call for the speedy return of the other four hostages with strong British connections and for whom we act, Eli Sharabi, Yossi Sharabi (deceased), Oded Lifshitz and Avinatan Or, and of all of the other hostages.”

Released hostages are now in Israel

The three women have now entered Israeli territory.

Below is an image of one of the hostages seen outside a van during the transfer of the three women by the Red Cross at al-Saraya.

Biden gives his last ever press conference on ceasefire deal

President Joe Biden has given his last ever press conference, offering his remarks on the ceasefire deal that has "come to fruition" today.

He said how "the guns in Gaza have gone silent" to reporters at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.#

He said that hundreds of aid trucks are in Gaza "as I speak".

"They're carrying assistance for civilians who suffered enormously from the war that Hamas started on October 7, 2023, nearly 15 months ago."

The region, he said, has been "fundamentally transformed".

"The release of hostages is a result of a principled and effective policy that we've presided over for months. And we got it. We got here without a wider war in the Middle East, that many predicted.

"And it now falls to the next administration to help them implement this deal."

Donald Trump will, of course, be taking office in the White House when he is inaugurated at 5pm UK time tomorrow (12pm local time).

Explained: Who are some of the 90 Palestinian prisoners set for release

The 90 Palestinian prisoners set to be released Sunday in exchange for three hostages held by Hamas include 69 women, according to a list provided to The Associated Press.

The youngest is Mahmoud Aliowat, 15.

The prisoners to be released include Khalida Jarrar, 62, a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a leftist faction with an armed group that has carried out attacks on Israelis.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said her repeated arrests are part of Israel's wider crackdown on non-violent political opposition.

Dalal Khaseeb, 53, the sister of former Hamas second-in-command Saleh Arouri, is also on the list, which was provided by Hamas. Arouri was killed in an Israeli strike in a southern Beirut suburb in January 2024.

Also listed for release is Abla Abdelrasoul, 68, the wife of detained PFLP leader Ahmad Saadat who killed an Israeli Cabinet minister in 2001 and has been serving a 30-year sentence.

IDF confirms it is transporting hostages back to Israel

In a statement on Twitter the IDF says: "The three returnees are now being escorted by an elite IDF unit and Shin Bet security force on their way back to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical evaluation.

"IDF commanders and soldiers salute and embrace the returnees on their way to Israel."

BREAKING: Hostages now back in Israeli hands

The hostages are now in Israeli hands at the Gaza border, according to local Israeli media being broadcast to crowds at Hiostage Square in Tel Aviv.

They will be flown to Israeli soil by IDF helicopters, where they are due to be met by their families and loved ones.

They will undergo an initial medical assessment on arrival.

The picture below shows people watching helicopters that will be involved in the upcoming transport of hostages near the Gaza border in Re'im, Israel.

BREAKING: Three Israel hostages including Brit Emily Damari released by Hamas in ceasefire

BREAKING: Three hostages received by Red Cross

We now have official confirmation that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have now received the hostages.

The Red Cross says that the three Israeli hostages were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip.

The women are Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher.

"The Red Cross has communicated that the three Israeli hostages were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF and Israel Securities Authority forces in the Gaza Strip," the Israeli military said in a statement.

According to information received from the Red Cross, 3 Israeli hostages were transferred to the Red Cross and they are on their way toward IDF and ISA forces in Gaza.

Pictured: Friends and relatives gathered in Israel

Relatives and friends of people killed and abducted by Hamas and taken into Gaza have been pictrued gathering in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Celebrations erupting across Gaza Strip

Across the Gaza Strip, celebrations erupted as people hoped for respite after the fighting killed tens of thousands, destroyed large areas of the territory and displaced most of its population.

Masked militants appeared at some celebrations, where crowds chanted slogans in support of them, according to Associated Press reporters in Gaza. The Hamas-run police began deploying in public after mostly lying low due to Israeli airstrikes.

Some families set off for home on foot, their belongings loaded on donkey carts.

In the southern city of Rafah, residents returned to find massive destruction. Some found human remains including skulls in the rubble.

"It's like you see a Hollywood horror movie," resident Mohamed Abu Taha told the AP as he inspected the ruins of his family's home.

Trump security advisor says Gaza ceasefire deal should be 'celebrated'

President-elect Donald Trump's choice for national security adviser says the Gaza ceasefire deal should be "celebrated."

"We will see three women coming out alive," Michael Waltz, Trump's pick to be his national security, told CBS of the first hostages set to be released. "Had we not entered this, these people would have died."

Waltz said the hostages held by Hamas have been captive longer than U.S. hostages held during the Iranian crisis in 1979, "but now we're going to have a Reagan moment."

That recalled those hostage being freed after 444 days when Ronald Reagan took office in 1981.

"We're going to have President Trump being sworn-in as hostages are coming out alive," Waltz said.

Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel include 69 women

The 90 Palestinian prisoners to go free from Israeli detention at Ofer Prison on Sunday include 69 women and 21 teenage boys, according to the Hamas Prisoners Media Office.

Of those, 76 will be released from the West Bank and 14 from Jerusalem, it said.

Israeli helicopters ready to receive the hostages

The Israeli Defence Force has released images of the helicoptedss that are waiting to pick up the three hostages.

Posting to Twitter/X, it said: "Exclusive images of IAF helicopters prepared for the process of receiving the hostages from Gaza."

Emily 'remained close to her British roots' says family

Emily Damari's family said she always remained “close to her British roots” and “loves visiting London”. She would go to gigs with her mother Mandy and saw artists including Ed Sheeran and Adele.

Mandy said: “When she was young, her favourite place was London Zoo … as she got older, she turned into a big foodie, always dragging us to her favourite restaurants.

“We’d go shopping in Primark and visit markets for a good bargain.”

Emily was also a Tottenham Hotspur fan and enjoyed going to games with her brother, while “enjoying a pint or two while cheering her head off”. Her mother said: “For her, that was England and she loved her second home across the sea, and always looked forward to coming here.”

Mothers of the three hostages to come to a meeting point at Gaza border

A Red Cross convoy is on its way to pick up the first Israeli hostages in Gaza.

It is not clear how long the process will take before the hostages will be handed over. Three women are set to be the first released in the ceasefire that began earlier Sunday.

Israeli media are reporting that the army has asked the mothers of the three hostages to come to a meeting point at a base next to the Gaza border.

Red Cross confirms it's on way to collect hostages

A Red Cross convoy is on its way to pick up the first Israeli hostages in Gaza.

The release of the three women, was scheduled to take place at 2pm UK time.

They are British-Israeli Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher.

Mandy last saw Emily the day before October 7 massacre

Mandy, who lived two streets away in Kfar Aza, last saw her daughter the evening before the Hamas terror attack. She had been at a 29th birthday party and had a bit too much to drink. She told me, “You don’t love me when I’m drunk,” which Mandy assured her wasn’t the case, and when terrorists stormed their Kibbutz the following morning, she sent her daughter a text saying: “I love you even when you’re drunk.”

Emily replied with a heart emoji – the last communication they had. Mandy, who is living in temporary accommodation near Tel Aviv, said it feels “very strange” to return to her daughter’s home.

Mandy was only saved that day because terrorists shooting her door inadvertently caused her lock to jam. Now she is left imagining the horrors her youngest daughter is experiencing.

“Emily was shot through the hand and had shrapnel in her leg,” Mandy said. “I heard from the hostages that came out in November last year that despite this she still had the same optimism. She was still leading them. But what she’s like now I don’t know, because that’s more than a year ago. They are getting no humanitarian aid at all. I know at the beginning she was treated for her gunshot wound, but very shortly afterwards they just threw bandages at her and told her to treat herself.

"She wasn’t given any other medication. As far as I know, no one’s been to see her. How she’s doing? I don’t know if the wounds are infected or not infected.”

Mandy grew up in Beckenham before travelling to Israel in her 20s, where she met Emily’s father in Kfar Aza. They had four children and stayed in the Kibbutz until Hamas’s massacre 15 months ago.

Emily has always been proud of her British roots and frequently visits England where she has watched Tottenham play. Supporters of the football team have rallied around, chanting at matches: “She’s one of our own – bring Emily home.”

Pictured: Van arrives at prison where Palestinian prisoners set to be released

Prisoner transportation buses are parked in front of the Ofer military prison located between Ramallah and Beitunia in the occupied West Bank.

Hamas said on January 19 that it was awaiting a list of 90 prisoners to be released by Israel as part of a hostage-prisoner exchange on the first day of the Gaza ceasefire.

Emily Damari's mother speaks out over ongoing 'nightmare'

Emily’s mother, Surrey-born, Mandy Damari, 63, has spent the past 15 months campaigning for Emily’s return, travelling around the world, meeting world leaders, fighting for them to help bring Emily home.

To keep her going, Mandy has woken every day, giving her daughter an imaginary hug and sending her a virtual message to “Keep strong, keep alive” and telling her, “you are going to be OK.” She describes the past 15 months as “a nightmare, living a life like this.” She adds: “What she’s been feeling there – who knows. It must have been ten times worse for her than it has been for me.”

Mandy is praying Emily will be back in Israel alive today and after nearly 500 torturous days, she is desperate to finally be able to give her that hug she has dreamt of giving her for so long.

“But it’s not over," she said. "My nightmare is still going on until I see Emily and all the other 98 hostages back in Israel with their families. I have more hope now than I’ve had in the last 15 months. It would be the most wonderful feeling in the world if she comes back, the most wonderful feeling. But I won’t believe it until I see and feel it for myself.”

Mandy implores world leaders not to stop until all 98 hostages are back in their families’ arms.

Pictured: Hostage Emily Damari watching her beloved Tottenham Hotspur

More images are starting to drop of British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, who is set to be released this afternoon alongsiode two other women.

The below image shows Emily - who has been held captive for 470 days - watching her beloved Tottenham Hotspur playing a match in the UEFA Champions League.

We'll be bringing you live updates as the three women are delivered to Israel by the Red Cross.

Displaced Palestinians begin returning to the remains of their homes

Palestinians in the war-battered Gaza Strip have begun returning to the remains of the homes they had evacuated during the 15-month war.

Thousands of Gazans carrying tents, clothes and their personal belongings were seen heading back to their homes,

Majida Abu Jarad made quick work of packing the contents of her family's tent in the sprawling tent city of Muwasi, just north of the strip's southern border with Egypt.

At the start of the war, they were forced to flee their house in Gaza's northern town of Beit Hanoun, where they used to gather around the kitchen table or on the roof on summer evenings amid the scent of roses and jasmine.

The house from those fond memories is gone, and for the past year, Ms Abu Jarad, her husband and their six daughters have trekked the length of the Gaza Strip, following one evacuation order after another by the Israeli military.

Seven times they fled, she said, and each time their lives became more unrecognisable to them as they crowded with strangers to sleep in a school classroom, searched for water in a vast tent camp, or slept on the street.

Now the family is preparing to begin the trek home - or to whatever remains of it - and to reunite with relatives who remained in the north.

"As soon as they said that the truce would start on Sunday, we started packing our bags and deciding what we would take, not caring that we would still be living in tents," Ms Abu Jarad said.

Israel will confirm safe arrival of hostages once they are brought to safety

Israel has vowed it will continue it's war on Gaza if Hamas does not keep its side of the deal.

"Hamas is not just Israel's enemy - it is the enemy of the Gazan people," Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said in a press conference minutes ago.

The spokesperson added Israel could not confirm their release until they were back on Israeli soil. "This is an important moment and we will certainly keep you updated," Mencer added.

'Final few hours have been agonising for Emily Damari's family'

Emily Cohen, who represents Emily Damari’s family, said: “These final few hours have been the most agonising that you can imagine, after nearly 500 days of unending torment for Mandy and all the other families.

“Obviously this is amazing news for Mandy and Emily’s entire family, but she will only believe it when she actually gets to see Emily alive and give her that hug she’s been dreaming of.

“Being so close to that moment makes the pain even more intense. As a mother, seeing how Mandy has campaigned tirelessly for Emily for the past 471 days has been utterly inspiring.

“I cannot begin to explain how brave and fearless she has been fighting for her daughter, pressuring world leaders and international organisations relentlessly and constantly.

“Given how unbearable the last few hours have been and the rollercoaster of emotions, please respect Mandy’s privacy at this very critical time.

“I know she wants everyone to know how deeply grateful she is to the British public, MPs, football supporters and strangers from around the world, who have been praying and campaigning for Emily’s release.”

Process of transferring hostages begins

The process of transferring the three Israeli hostages slated for release from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip to the Red Cross has begun, Israeli sources reported on Sunday.

Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath also reported Hamas started the process of handing over Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari.

Hostages group 'await safe return' of three women held in Gaza

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has said it welcomes the news that three hostages are set to be released.

Posting on Twitter/X, the group said: "The Hostages Families Forum welcomes the exciting news that Romi Gonen (24), Doron Steinbrecher (31), and Emily Damari (28) are expected to be released later today.

"We await their safe return to Israel to be reunited with their families after 471 days in Hamas captivity."