Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners about seven hours after the first hostages held in Gaza for the past 15 months were freed.

Large white buses carried the detainees out from Israel’s Ofer prison, which is just outside the West Bank city of Ramallah, as Palestinians in the streets celebrated.

The prisoners let go are women and children, according to a list from the Palestinian Authority’s Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs.

6

6

6

Israel accused those detainees of crimes tied to the Jewish state’s security, including from throwing stones to more serious charges like attempted murder.

Palestinians chanted and cheered around the buses heading to Beitunia town with some revelers waving flags, including that of Hamas. 

President-elect Donald Trump said his incoming administration "achieved more" to aid the hostage deal without being in office than the incumbnent president.

6

On the eve of his inauguration, Trump lauded the "epic" deal that took effect on Sunday and began with three female Israeli hostages released.

“I’m glad to report that the first hostages have just been released… and who knows what’s going to happen,” Trump said during his speech at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on Sunday night.

“Our incoming administration has achieved all of this in the Middle East, in less than three months, without being president — we’ve achieved more… than they’ve achieved in four years with being president,” Trump added.

TEL AVIV — Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square and New York City’s Central Park to celebrate the release of the first three hostages by Hamas on Sunday. 

Families of the captives and their supporters crowded the centers to watch and cheer as Emily Damari, 28, Romi Gonen, 23, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, left Gaza after more than 15 months in captivity. 

“Romi is coming back! Emily is coming back! Doron is coming back!” the crowd was heard chanting in Tel Aviv. 

READ MORE

Each hostage released by Hamas so far was reportedly given "gift bags" commemorating their terror captivity.

The bags contained some kind of "certificate," along with photos from their time in captivity, according to the Times of Israel.

All three hostages were seen carrying the same brown paper bag when they were handed over to the Red Cross Sunday.

6

6

6

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed empathy and support in a statement on Sunday as three Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity.

The release of hostages after many months of war between Israel and Hamas is a deeply meaningful moment," Zelensky said in a post on X. "Seeing families reunited, and knowing the tears of relief and joy it brings, is something we can all connect with. As Ukrainians, we know the pain of separation and hope of bringing loved ones back home."

6

Hostages Doron Steinbrecher, Romi Gonen and Emily Damari were greeted by IDF soldiers and reunited with family and loved ones on Sunday as the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took effect.

"The path to lasting peace and dignity for all people is still long and challenging, but we hope for further progress toward security, stability, and normal life in the entire Middle East. Ukraine wishes for peace, justice, and reliable security guarantees for all nations, just as we continue to fight for them ourselves," Zelensky added.

Ukraine wishes for peace, justice, and reliable security guarantees for all nations, just as we continue to fight for them ourselves.

The family of Doron Steinbrecher – one of the three Israeli hostages freed from Hamas this week – thanked incoming President Donald Trump for her release.

“After an unbearable 471 days, our beloved Dodo has finally returned to our arms. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and accompanied us along this journey,” her family said in a statement Sunday, according to the Times of Israel.

“A special thank you to the people of Israel for their warm embrace, unwavering support, and the strength they gave us during our darkest moments. We also extend our gratitude to President Trump for his significant involvement and support, which meant so much to us," they added.

6

6

“Our heroic Dodo, who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, begins her rehabilitation journey today. We will continue to stand with all the families and do everything in our power until all of their loved ones return home.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​”

They were not the only hostage family to call on Trump in their rhetoric as the cease-fire deal came into effect Sunday.

The family of American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen held a rally in Washington D.C. calling on Trump to make sure the full terms of the cease-fire deal are followed through when he takes off Monday.

President Biden even gave a nod to the new administration during remarks Sunday, saying he was "pleased to have our teams speak as one voice in the final days."

The family of one of the last Americans still in Hamas captivity held a rally on the National Mall calling on President Trump to see the current cease-fire deal through once he takes office tomorrow.

“Bring them home now! Bring them home now!” the father of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen chanted along with dozens of supporters in Washington D.C. Sunday.

“Thank you President Trump you can bring them all home,” banners at the rally read.

6

Dekel-Chen, 36, is one of three Americans still alive and being held by captivity. He is expected to be released alongside fellow American Keith Siegel, 65, and 33 other hostages in the first phase of the deal which began Sunday.

The cease-fire deal is set to run in three phases, but fears have already begun to arise that Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu might resume fighting after the 42-day phase one concludes, according to the Times of Israel.

Many family members of remaining hostages are hopeful Trump will be stand by his promises to bring Hamas fully to his knees once he takes office.

The third American alive in captivity, 20-year-old Edan Alexander, is an Israeli soldier and is expected to be released if the second phase of the cease-fire deal comes to fruition.

New footage shows the moment the three female hostages released by Hamas were welcomed by the Israeli Defense Forces on Sunday. 

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, can be seen exiting a Red Cross vehicle that arrived safely at a drop-off point surrounded by the Israeli military. 

6

6

The women all appeared to be wearing colored tracksuits — pink, green and black — and all looked to be able to walk without assistance. 

The women are greeted by two female IDF soldiers who escort them out of the car, giving them a quick briefing and hugs. 

The hostages have been airlifted out of Gaza and are in an Israeli medical facility where they have begun reuniting with their families. 

President Biden gave a rare nod to the incoming Trump administration while speaking on the Hamas-Israel cease-fire deal.

“I was pleased to have our teams speak as one voice in the final days,” Biden, who has just hours left in office, told reporters in South Carolina Sunday.

 “It was both necessary and effective and unprecedented, but success is going to require persistence and continuing support for our friends in the region, and the belief in diplomacy backed by deterrence,” Biden said.

6

“Now it falls on the next administration to help implement this deal.”

Since the deal was announced last week, Biden has scoffed at the notion that Trump had any part in the deal’s success – which has raised eyebrows from many, due to the deal's conspicuous implementation barely more than 24 hours before the Trump takes the oath of office.

After his election in November, Trump has promised "all hell will break loose" if Hamas doesn't come to the negotiating table by the time he's back in the White House.

Last week, Biden responded “Is that a joke?” when asked by a reporter about whether Trump’s presidency played any part in the cease-fire’s implementation, and has repeatedly said the current deal was devised by himself and his team back in May.

Despite giving a nod to Trump Sunday, Biden again repeated his talking points about the deal’s origin eight months ago.

Emily Damari, one of the hostages freed on Sunday, was seen in social media pictures reunited with her mother while on a video call.

Damari met with her mother at an IDF facility near the Gaza border, per the Times of Israel.

6

6

Damari, who was wounded in a shooting Oct. 7, 2023, lost two fingers during the assault, according to her family. She is seen holding up her bandaged left hand, showing the gruesome injury.

"After 471 days - Emily is finally home," her mother Mandy Damari said in a statement.

 We would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts everyone who fought tirelessly for Emily throughout this difficult time.  To everyone who raised her voice and called her name, in Israel, England, the United States and the whole world - thank you.  Thanks to you, Emily came home.

"Emily's nightmare in Gaza is over, but there are still too many families still waiting in pain.  We must work together for the release of all the abductees, down to the last one.  Those still in captivity need immediate humanitarian assistance.

" We ask the media to respect the privacy of Emily and our family at this time."

President Biden delivered brief remarks about the release of hostages from Hamas, before speeding off to another engagement.

“Hey folks, it’s gonna be quick, cause I got to be downstairs,” Biden told reporters in South Carolina Sunday morning.

“Today the guns in Gaza have gone silent,” the president said, explaining that the first three of 33 hostages set to be released in the first phase of the cease-fire were safe, and that more will be released in the coming days.

6

“By the 16^th day of the deal, talks will begin in the second phase. This phase includes the release of Israeli soldiers and a permanent end of the war without Hamas in power or able to threaten Israel,” he said.

Trucks carrying aid were also flowing into Gaza to help the people there, as Biden blamed Hamas for starting the war that upturned their lives with the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The outgoing president said the freed hostages “appeared to be in good health,” but that they had a long road to recovery.

He also took full credit for the cease-fire deal, echoing his rhetoric over the last few days about how he first proposed the deal in May -- and giving no nod to the incoming Trump administration, which will take office Monday.

The president spoke for just over five minutes, before leaving the lectern without taking questions.