Israel 'won't gloss over' images of thin hostages paraded on stage - latest

As Israel confirms the three hostages have now crossed over into Israeli territory, Benjamin Netanyahu has shared a warning with Hamas.

We saw earlier the trio were first paraded on a podium by Hamas before they were handed over to the Red Cross.

They looked thin and emaciated, and were seemingly told to speak into a microphone, reportedly calling for Israel to stop the war and stick to the ceasefire - though they spoke with Hamas gunmen surrounding them.

Responding to these images, Natenyahu said: "We will not gloss over the shocking scenes that we saw today."

Lawyers for the British hostage families criticised the "grotesque spectacle" of their release and said they were "saddened" by their physical condition.

This "should be a wake-up call, if one were needed, to ensure the speedy return of all of the other hostages", they added. 

The three hostages are on the way for an "initial medical assessment", Israel has confirmed.

They are being accompanied by the IDF.

"The IDF salutes and embraces the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel," the military wrote in a statement.

The hostages are now on their way to the Israeli border, after 16 months in Hamas captivity.

Here you can see Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy under Hamas's control for the last time, as they are transferred to the Red Cross. 

Relatives cheered and broke down in tears as live footage showed Eli Sharabi appear on TV.

Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy are also being transferred to the Israeli border now, where they will soon reunite with their loved ones.

There was no audio from the stage as the hostages spoke into a microphone, but we understand they have called for Israel to agree to the next stages of the ceasefire.

Our Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall points out whatever they say must be taken with a pinch of salt, given they are speaking with Hamas gunmen surrounding them.

Hostages have not been interviewed by Hamas or spoken during previous releases, but today they were paraded and apparently asked to speak into a microphone.

"I'm told they were saying that the war should stop, the Israeli government should agree to the second and third stages of the ceasefire deal," Bunkall said.

"And they apparently spoke about Hamas and thanked them for saving them from the attacks by Israel."

For more on the stages of the ceasefire deal, see our 6.17am post.

All three Israeli hostages have been led outside by Hamas gunmen. 

They've been walked to a podium, appearing thin and emaciated, with militants flanking each on either side.

It appears they were briefly interviewed by Hamas while on stage.

Hamas had said it will release three hostages, with 183 prisoners expected to be freed by Israel in return.

As we await the handover of Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, one common theme both today and in previous exchanges is Hamas's show of force.

Our Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall describes it as a "very staged event" today, to try to show "it is not defeated".

"You can see it there - Hamas fighters, balaclavas covering their faces and armed with machine guns and, in one case, a rocket propelled grenade launcher as well," he said.

"This is to show the world that Hamas has at least some degree of control over Gaza."

Families and supporters have gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate the release of three more Israeli hostages.

Michael Levy, Or Levy's brother, said his three-year-old nephew, Almog, already knows his dad is on his way. 

Michael said the family had told Almog his mum, who was killed during Hamas' October 7 2023 attack, is not returning but that they are searching for his dad.

"Mogi, we found daddy," Michael Levy said he told the boy, using his nickname, in an interview with Israeli Channel 12. 

"We haven't seen happiness like that in him for a long time."

Eli Sharabi's sister, Osnat Sharabi Matalon, told the news channel the family was stunned that he is finally being freed. 

"Until we see, touch and hug him, it feels like it isn't happening," she said.

There is a lot more movement now in our live stream - see above - with Red Cross vehicles arriving at the scene in central Gaza.

There is no sign of the hostages yet, but we're expecting them to be collected by the Red Cross team any minute now.

The large crowds are making way for three vehicles.

As we mentioned in the post below, a Red Cross team is now on the way to pick up the Israeli hostages in Deir al Balah, central Gaza.

They'll be taken to the border, where they will then be handed to the Israeli military.

Soon afterwards, they will be reunited with the immediate members of that family at a reception centre.

Finally, they will be airlifted to hospital - one of two near Tel Aviv.

It's not clear if all three hostages will be transported at once or if they will be collected in stages.