Hostages released by Hamas

HAMAS yesterday released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza as part of a ceasefire, pausing two years of war that pummelled the territory, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and left scores of captives in militant hands in the enclave.

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Tens of thousands of Israelis watched the hostage transfers at public screenings across the country. In Tel Aviv, families and friends of the hostages broke into wild cheers as television channels announced that the first group was in the hands of the Red Cross.

The freed hostages, all men, were later reunited with their families and footage released by Israeli authorities showed tearful reunions, including one showing 28-year-old twins Gali and Ziv Berman embracing as they were reunited. Hostages previously released had said the twins were held separately.

The bodies of the remaining 28 dead hostages were also due to be handed over as part of the deal, but Hamas's military wing stated yesterday afternoon that the bodies of only four hostages would be returned to Israel yesterday. The Gaza-based militant group has told mediators it does not know the location of some of the other 24 dead hostages.