APPLENEWS - STORY ADD
Middle East live updates: Siegel's family thanks President Trump 'for bringing our father back to us'
Thirty-three hostages are set to be released in the ceasefire's first phase.
Many residents of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon are expected to return to their homes in the coming days and weeks, with most of the fighting in both areas paused under Israeli ceasefire agreements with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Under Israel's multi-phased deal with Hamas, some hostages held in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have started to be released. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to continue amid the first phase of the deal, which was slated to last about six weeks.
Latest headlines:
- 15,000 displaced from Jenin camp, mayor says
- Family of released Israeli hostage celebrates his return
- ICRC transfers 3 hostages, 175 Palestinian detainees
- Allegations of abuse emerge as Israel releases 183 Palestinian prisoners
- Siegel's family thanks President Trump 'for bringing our father back to us'
- American hostage Keith Siegel freed from Gaza
- Thousands of Egyptians protest against displacement of Palestinians
462,000 Palestinians return to Northern Gaza
As the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues, at least 462,000 people have crossed from the south into Northern Gaza in the last week, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Displaced Palestinians are also moving from north to south, in smaller numbers -- about 1,400 people in total as of Friday, according to OCHA.
Across Gaza, extensive efforts are underway to restore critical services and provide aid amid an urgent need for supplies.
Hamas names 3 hostages, including American, to be released Saturday
The spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing has announced the names of three hostages the group will release on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Among them is U.S.-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel and Israeli national Yarden Bibas, the husband of Shiri Bibas, according to a statement from Hamas.
7 more hostages released, IDF says
Seven more hostages have been released on Thursday morning, according to a joint statement from the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency.
"According to information communicated by the Red Cross, seven hostages, including two Israelis and five foreign nationals, were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip."
IDF confirms Agam Berger is back in Israel and will undergo a medical assessment
The Israel Defense Forces have issued a statement confirming that Agam Berger is now back in Israel and undergoing an "initial medical assessment."
"The returning hostage, IDF Soldier Agam Berger, has arrived at the initial reception point in southern Israel where she is being reunited with her family," the statement said. "IDF officers from the Manpower Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostage, and she will undergo an initial medical assessment."
IDF representatives are accompanying the rest of her family waiting at the hospital and will be updating them with the latest available information, the IDF confirmed.