The first two hostages, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, were brought onto a stage in southern Gaza’s Rafah, where they were transferred to Red Cross ambulances before heading to an Israeli border crossing, AP reported.

TEL AVIV — Hamas released five Israeli hostages early Saturday among six to be freed in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails. This is the largest number of Palestinian prisoners to be released at once since the beginning of the ceasefire which began in January.