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Gaza Truce: Three Israeli Women Released, Prisoner Swap Begins

Gaza Truce Comes Into Effect: Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher Freed. Green Light for 250 Truckloads of Humanitarian Aid and the Release of 90 Palestinian Prisoners.

Gaza Truce: Three Israeli Women Released and Prisoner Swap Underway

A fragile ceasefire came into effect in the Gaza Strip at 10.15:XNUMX this morning, marking a moment of respite in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The release of three Israeli women kidnapped by Hamas and the delivery of humanitarian aid are the first signs of hope for a hard-hit population.

Three Israeli women freed

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher, the three Israeli women kidnapped by Hamas, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the central square of Gaza City. Images circulated on social media show the three hostages walking independently towards the Red Cross representatives, a sign that their physical conditions are stable. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and the Shin Bet confirmed the transfer of the women to the planned meeting point in the Gaza Strip.

Tregua a Gaza: rilasciate tre donne israeliane e avviato lo scambio di prigionieri.

“We have the three girls, Doron, Emily and Romi,” the Red Cross said, confirming the completion of the first phase of release under the agreement. A Hamas spokesman told Reuters that “the handover to the International Committee of the Red Cross is underway.”

Prisoner exchange and humanitarian aid

The ceasefire was accompanied by the start of a prisoner swap. Al Jazeera reported that 90 Palestinian prisoners will be freed today, including 69 women and 21 children, many of them from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The names include prominent figures such as Khalida Jarrar, a Palestinian parliamentarian and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Red Cross staff entered Ofer prison in southern Israel to supervise the release of inmates. However, tensions erupted outside the facility, where protesters clashed with Israeli security forces.

In parallel, over 250 trucks loaded with goods and humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. This is a breath of fresh air for a population exhausted by weeks of bombing and blockades.

The reaction of the population of Gaza

As the truce came into effect, Gazans greeted the ceasefire with a combination of relief and grief. Festive sweets were handed out in the streets, while markets filled with people looking for food and essentials. “We can finally go back to the north to see what condition our homes are in,” some residents said, although fear for the future remained palpable.

Many residents expressed anger at Hamas, which they held responsible for the devastating consequences of the conflict. “People are angry with Hamas for what it has done, causing thousands of deaths,” some residents said, stressing the difficulty of rebuilding life after so much destruction.

A Fragile Glimmer of Peace

The agreement, which provides for further phases of exchange of prisoners and hostages, represents a first step towards a lasting truce, even if the situation remains extremely precarious. The international community is watching developments closely, while the families of hostages and detainees are issuing statements full of hope and concern.

This ceasefire does not mark the end of the conflict, but it is a rare opportunity to save lives, alleviate suffering and open the door for possible future negotiations.

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