First seven Israeli hostages released as peace deal handover begins in Gaza

The Red Cross has received seven Israeli hostages released by Hamas in northern Gaza Strip after the landmark ceasefire deal was signed.

They include Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor and Guy Gilboa-Dalal.

Red Cross vehicles are due to take them to Israeli-controlled parts of Gaza, where they will be handed over to the military.

They will then be taken to the Rei'im base in southern Israel, where after medical checks they are expected to meet with their families for the first time since the mass abductions on October 7.

READ MORE: Hostage release LIVE: Hamas reveals names of 20 hostages being released shortly

Some are said to be in serious condition and in need of urgent medical treatment.

US President Donald Trump was expected to land in Tel Aviv to take credit for his 20 point peace deal which effected the end of the war before flying to a Middle East summit.

In Tel Aviv cars beeped in celebration of the moment the hostages reached safety as forensic teams prepared to receive the remains of up to 28 dead hostages later today.

This may be the last day Israelis will flock in such huge numbers to Hostage Square, where the Bring Them Home campaign has worked tirelessly to promote the releases.

As Israeli hostages were whisked across the border into the south of their country hundreds of Palestinians were set for release from prisons to be handed over to Gaza and exile abroad.

Hamas has said 20 living hostages will be exchanged for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Another 25 of hostages in Gaza are believed to have died.

Families and friends of hostages broke out into wild cheers this morning as Israeli television channels announced that the hostages were in the hands of the International Red Cross Committee.

Tens of thousands of Israelis are watching the transfers at public screenings across the country, with a major event being held in Tel Aviv.

A packed crowd in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv erupted in further cheers as the names of the hostages to be released were read on local television. They clapped and chanted “Bring them home now!”.

Some carried Israeli flags with a yellow hostage ribbon, while others held aloft posters with the faces of the hostages.

US President Donald Trump was expected to land in Tel Aviv to take credit for his 20 point peace deal which effected the end of the war before flying to a Middle East summit.

In Tel Aviv cars beeped in celebration of the moment the hostages reached safety as forensic teams prepared to receive the remains of up to 28 dead hostages later today.

This may be the last day Israelis will flock in such huge numbers to Hostage Square, where the Bring Them Home campaign has worked tirelessly to promote the releases.

As Israeli hostages were whisked across the border into the south of their country hundreds of Palestinians were set for release from prisons to be handed over to Gaza and exile abroad.

Engines started in many coaches pre-loaded with the prisoners, among them 250 life servers, many of them murderers as they began their journey to freedom.

For now the guns of full scale war in Gaza and the warplanes have fallen silent as a precarious peace has fallen upon the stricken Palestinian enclave which will take many years to rebuild.

It has only been blighted by fighting between rival clans which has killed dozens in recent days as they struggle to retain power in Gaza.