people certainly being handed over. you can see a bank of ambulances. an elderly womanjust being you can see a bank of ambulances. an elderly woman just being delicately walked out as some of these transfers continue thereat rafah. so many different points in this choreography before they ultimately get back to israel and the israeli authorities have that news conference they were talking about to confirm the various transfers, but a little glimpse perhaps of one of the people that were contained in those red cross convoy in ambulances earlier as we see shots both from the air and ground. we will continue with these pictures, but as we continue to watch them, let's bring in gideon leavey, an israeli author and journalist. thank you very much for being here and being on the programme. your headline thoughts as we hear some of the thoughts and details of this hostage release. very mixed feelings, all kind of thoughts. fin feelings, all kind of thoughts. on one hand, one cannot remain indifferent to see those hostages coming back. you will also not remain indifferent to the fact that a deal is a deal, which should not be taken for granted. let's cross our fingers that until now, a deal is a deal and hamas and israel are going along the details that were agreed. this is a very encouraging fact, but wejust agreed. this is a very encouraging fact, but we just remember that it is a drop in the ocean because 13 israelis were released tonight, there are still over 200 in the hands of hamas and the journey is still very long to go. d0 hands of hamas and the “ourney is still very long to go.— still very long to go. do you think, in any way. _ still very long to go. do you think, in any way. it _ still very long to go. do you think, in any way, it changes _ still very long to go. do you think, in any way, it changes the - still very long to go. do you think, in any way, it changes the basic. in any way, it changes the basic dynamic of the war, that we are having this pause, this prisoner exchange, and this prisoner release? does fundamentally change, do think, where it opinion is, let's start there? it where it opinion is, let's start there? , ., , . i. there? it is inevitable. once you see that both _ there? it is inevitable. once you see that both parties, _ there? it is inevitable. once you see that both parties, even - there? it is inevitable. once you i see that both parties, even though they do not negotiate directly, both parties can get to any kind of an agreement, this puts you any question, why can they not get to broader agreements are not only about releasing a dozen of hostages and 50 prisoners, why can't they get to a broader agreementit change the dynamics. underthe to a broader agreementit change the dynamics. under the more releases there will be, the more this will change. but by the end of the day, i still feel the israeli public opinion is demanding what will come after hamas? to the next days will be very crucial and mixed on the way in one hand you can be with some kind of hope and on the other, you know, the war is still going on. find know, the war is still going on. and we not an know, the war is still going on. and we got an earlier statement from israel's defence minister who said there would be a short pause, then they will return to the war with full military force. what do you think it is likely to happen after day four of this questioning i cannot see it getting back in at the same intensity, the war.— same intensity, the war. namely i ho -e it same intensity, the war. namely i hepe it will— same intensity, the war. namely i hope it will not _ same intensity, the war. namely i hope it will not get _ same intensity, the war. namely i hope it will not get back _ same intensity, the war. namely i hope it will not get back to - same intensity, the war. namely i hope it will not get back to the - hope it will not get back to the same intensity. because what does it mean now to continue the work was to make it means israel will now go to the southern part of the gaza strip were right now over 2 million people are concentrated there. in terrible conditions. you pull out1 million people from the north and push them to the south and now you want to declare war on the south? where will those people go and what will happen to them? and how can you really go for a war when there are so many civilians, most of them homeless around? so i don't see it happening in the same intensity. 50m; around? so i don't see it happening in the same intensity.— in the same intensity. sorry to cut in, but that _ in the same intensity. sorry to cut in, but that if— in the same intensity. sorry to cut in, but that if you _ in the same intensity. sorry to cut in, but that if you have _ in the same intensity. sorry to cut in, but that if you have just - in, but that if you have just articulated, you know it is exactly the polar opposite of what benjamin netanyahu and they were cabinet are saying. do you get any sense that is likely to change from the prime minister downwards? the declaration is one thing. — minister downwards? the declaration is one thing, especially _ minister downwards? the declaration is one thing, especially in _ minister downwards? the declaration is one thing, especially in israeli - is one thing, especially in israeli politics, especially when it relates to benjamin netanyahu, the reality is something else. there is the world, the united states, there is at the reality on the ground, the atmosphere. let's see. i mean, they declared because they are a very right—wing government that has to guarantee that israel does not stop now because stopping now means not achieving the main goal of this war, mainly crashing hamas. the pictures we see just now that show you that hamas is far from we see just now that show you that hamas is farfrom being crashed. hamas is farfrom being crashed. hamas is farfrom being crashed. hamas is operating this exchange now. so it is not an easyjob on one hand to get a decision, a resolution to go for the deal and on the other hand, to claim that you're crashing hamas. something will continue, but i do not think it will be the same intensity because something on the momentum and dynamics was broken now and i hope it will go on breaking this dynamic of destruction in gaza, this dynamic of destruction in gaza, this dynamic of smashing not only hamas, but the whole gaza strip. tote hamas, but the whole gaza strip. we have two different statements from benjamin netanyahu in recent days, one that the objective remains the strong hamas. the other is his determination to get back all of the hostages, notjust the initial 50. does it make sense to you? can you have the objective of having all the hostages back when you're hoping to negotiate with the people you say you're going to destroy? ba; negotiate with the people you say you're going to destroy?- you're going to destroy? by the cuestion, you're going to destroy? by the question. you _ you're going to destroy? by the question, you know— you're going to destroy? by the question, you know the - you're going to destroy? by the | question, you know the answer. you're going to destroy? by the - question, you know the answer. there will be a certain stage in which the choice really has to be made. imagine yourself you're standing in front of a tunnel where the rest of the hostages, mainly the soldiers are being held together with the commanders of hamas. what do you do then? you have to make the choice in a very physical term. you have to choose either you bomb a bunker or you let the hostages get out and you give out bombing this bunker. israel will have to choose between release of all the hostages and slashing her mass. i think public opinion right now is very strong about releasing all the hostages, but it may also be that after releasing all the hostages, israel will go on and if the international community will not stop israel, it might also go on and destroy southern gaza as well as you talk to us, we are watching the live pictures coming in from egypt. tote pictures coming in from egypt. we are seeing the early stages of some of the people have been held being transferred from ambulances to buses, a huge number of ambulances lined up. one by one we are seeing people step out and be delicately transported as the stage by stage transfer of the release actually plays out. these are the pictures from just a few minutes ago when that convoy arrived there. and this is a process taking a number of hours and that is, in a sense, to be expected because it was such a complicated deal to put into effect, but also a complicated deal to execute and carry off, because huge numbers of safeguards being put in place by both sides because as well as the demands from israel, there where the demands from hamas, things like the intelligence, use of drones being turned off for a six—hour period so they could these hostages around and bring them to the point where they handed them over to the red cross. all of that they wanted to do without those drones obviously accessing that and deriving large amounts of intelligence. all that has meticulously been gone through and perhaps explains why this deal has taken time to thrash out, but it is such a significant moment there is such a significant moment there is the first day of the hostage handover. and of course, with this in the backdrop, a pause in the seven—week warforfour in the backdrop, a pause in the seven—week war for four days and that has given people a chance, we have seen it in the south, for people to move around, get back to some of their houses, see the enormity of the destruction and we saw israel dropping leaflets in the south telling people not to go back to the north because they consider it a war zone. as we watch these pictures of the transfer, all the focus there, but a wider study that there is a pause in this war, where we approach the seven—week mark, a crucial moment because for seven weeks, it has raged and we have seen the death toll increase as israel responded to those attacks on october 7th. their objective, as we were saying there are no conversations with gideon leavey, to destroy hamas. —— gideon. let me bring gideon back in. i was talking at the start of the week to a guest who said it was not time to start talking about a two state solution, but said the focus had to come round to that in the end for the international community and israel's best interests.— best interests. fortunately unfortunately, _ best interests. fortunately unfortunately, he - best interests. fortunately unfortunately, he is - best interests. fortunately unfortunately, he is not i best interests. fortunatelyj unfortunately, he is not on best interests. fortunately - unfortunately, he is not on nearby minister right now and that fortunately or unfortunately, do not see it happening. with all the respect to the declarations you do not have a partner in the israeli side right now, you do not have a partner in the palestinian side. emotions are very high now in both people's. and above all, the united states is getting into a year of elections in which i'm not sure the focus will be on the middle east. i do not see the parties being capable at all to start negotiating any kind of settlement without a massive international intervention and, unfortunately, do not see this massive international intervention taking place when the united states is on hold and that the eu is just a pale echo of the united states. so who is going to run it, exactly? i wish i could think differently, but i'm afraid it is too good to be true. , ., , ., ~ i. i'm afraid it is too good to be true. , ., , ., ~ ., true. gideon levy, thank you for bein: on true. gideon levy, thank you for being on the _ true. gideon levy, thank you for being on the programme. - true. gideon levy, thank you for being on the programme. we i true. gideon levy, thank you for - being on the programme. we continue to watch those pictures from the rafah crossing and i take you back to the ofer prison, confirmation from the qataris that 39 women and children detained in israeli jails have been released as part of this agreement between israel and hamas. let's speak to noor odeh, a palestinian journalist and activist. your assessment of what you have seen take place in the last couple of hours? it seen take place in the last couple of hours? . , , seen take place in the last couple of hours? ., , , ., seen take place in the last couple of hours? .,, , ., , of hours? it has been a very bittersweet _ of hours? it has been a very bittersweet day, _ of hours? it has been a very bittersweet day, as - of hours? it has been a very bittersweet day, as you - of hours? it has been a very bittersweet day, as you will| of hours? it has been a very i bittersweet day, as you will -- of hours? it has been a very - bittersweet day, as you will -- if bittersweet day, as you will —— if you will. you saw thousands of people in gaza, on the one hand, try to wake up from seven weeks of bombardment, trying to get in touch with family members they had lost touch with. some attempting to visit the site of their homes to see if anything is left to mourn and grieve over all that loss. and to understand, as you were saying earlier, the enormity of all that loss. on the other, you have families here in the west bank waiting to receive their loved ones and anxious and wanting the hours to pass by so they can receive them. while at the same time receiving threats from the israeli security establishment that they are not allowed to celebrate those releases. so the reality of occupation, of course, still breathing down everybody�*s neck, if you will. yes. everybody's neck, if you will. yes, we saw pictures — everybody's neck, if you will. yes, we saw pictures of— everybody's neck, if you will. yes, we saw pictures of tear _ everybody's neck, if you will. yes, we saw pictures of tear gas - everybody's neck, if you will. yes, we saw pictures of tear gas outside the prison only about an hour or so ago. we have spent a lot of time talking about israeli hostages. in terms of the palestinians released today, tell me a little more about how those people are, because they are women and children, and they? they are women and children, many of whom have been detained without any charge, at least five of the children are what are held without charge or trial is. some of the women were serving sentences, but to explain to the audience, palestinians, including children, are subjected to military courts, so these are not ordinary courts, so these are not ordinary courts that you would think of in london or any other western capital, these are military courts that do not adhere to the same due process standards. that is why in the eyes of the palestinian public, these are not convicted people, they were not rightly convicted. many really view them as hostages as well. their release, even though only 39 out of thousands,is release, even though only 39 out of thousands, is very welcome news for palestinians. tell thousands, is very welcome news for palestinians-— palestinians. tell me a little more. we were hearing _ palestinians. tell me a little more. we were hearing a _ palestinians. tell me a little more. we were hearing a little _ palestinians. tell me a little more. we were hearing a little earlier- palestinians. tell me a little more. we were hearing a little earlier in l we were hearing a little earlier in the day contributors, campaigners talking about what is going on in the west bank, talking about the number of people being held, talking about children or particular. tell me some of the conditions they get held in. . ., ., , me some of the conditions they get held in. _, ., , ., held in. the conditions are appalling- _ held in. the conditions are appalling. unicef - held in. the conditions are appalling. unicef and - held in. the conditions are| appalling. unicef and many held in. the conditions are - appalling. unicef and many human rights organisations document what child detainees go through every year. on average, you have about 700 palestinian children detained by israel every year. about 200—3oo palestinian children detained by israel every year. about 200—300 of them remain in any given year in israeli detention. they are usually detained from their homes in midnight raids. no warrants, no lawyer present, no family present. many of them report they were given vin peepers in hebrew to sign, so by the time lawyers can see them, it is all said and done —— given papers in hebrew. mistreatment, some amounted to torture, beatings, threats against the family, strip searches and so on are also well documented, so these are the conditions palestinian detainees, including children go through. since october 7th, those conditions have got considerably worse, even at the red cross has not been allowed to have any access to them, notjust their lawyers. the adults have been deprived of electricity for much of the day. many of them have been kept handcuffed for most of the day. i asked my previous guest, gideon leavey, the same question i'm going to ask you. do you think what we will see over the next four days and what we have seen much change the basic dynamics of this war?- basic dynamics of this war? gideon le is a basic dynamics of this war? gideon levy is a very _ basic dynamics of this war? gideon levy is a very wise _ basic dynamics of this war? gideon levy is a very wise man _ basic dynamics of this war? gideon levy is a very wise man i _ basic dynamics of this war? gideon levy is a very wise man i do - basic dynamics of this war? gideon levy is a very wise man i do agree | levy is a very wise man i do agree with him that i do not see enough international momentum, enough international pressure to move things into the kind of political direction that the region would need to talk about something more permanent, something more resembling a solution. the underlying causes of this horrendous war where mccain is the fact that palestinians remain captive to the israeli occupation. —— a war we are in. that their aspirations for self—determination have not been respected or given enough attention and support. but i do not see, regrettably, enough of that needed attention by the us or europe to move things in a more positive direction. there is a sliver of hope, maybe that these four days may be extended, that may be the mediators would bring everybody down from their high horses and kind of change the pace, but i'm not sure there are enough conditions to see israel ending this war, especially when we take into consideration that netanyahu's consideration that neta nyahu's political calculus consideration that netanyahu's political calculus and the fact he is fighting to stay in power, knowing very well that he will be held accountable, he has corruption charges to face, and so much more when they were stops. but charges to face, and so much more when they were stops.— when they were stops. but you will know what he _ when they were stops. but you will know what he said _ when they were stops. but you will know what he said about _ when they were stops. but you will know what he said about this - when they were stops. but you will know what he said about this war, | know what he said about this war, this basic objective of destroying hamas. in a sense, they are saying we have done part of that objective in the north, they still have work to do and at the continuation of that. the defence minister said exactly this earlier in the day, to move with full force, that was the court, in the coming days once the stress is finished. it is court, in the coming days once the stress is finished.— stress is finished. it is really astonishing _ stress is finished. it is really astonishing to _ stress is finished. it is really astonishing to hear - stress is finished. it is really astonishing to hear that - stress is finished. it is really - astonishing to hear that because that would mean they would be moving through the flesh and blood of about 2 million gazans in the south right now. —— once this process is finished. as is the most dangerous place on earth to be a children and all the humanitarian assistance that will flowing in the coming four days is a drop in the ocean. so this is a population that is at risk, is not getting enough food or water, or medicine, and to think that there would be more of a ground offensive also in the south, i don't know, pushing palestinians there in the senior where else, it reinforces palestinian fears that the real objective of at least those calling the shots in israel is to dispossess as many palestinians out of gaza as possible. if not forcibly, if not outright, then to make gaza so unbearable, so unlivable, that enough people would say, open the gates of this present and let us out, even if we stay in the desert. and that would be a devastating consequence of the world allows it to happen —— open the gates of this prison. to happen -- open the gates of this rison. ., ., ~ i. to happen -- open the gates of this rison. ., ., ~' l, ., prison. nour odeh, thank you for 'oinin: us prison. nour odeh, thank you for joining us here — prison. nour odeh, thank you for joining us here on _ prison. nour odeh, thank you for joining us here on bbc— prison. nour odeh, thank you for joining us here on bbc news. - prison. nour odeh, thank you for. joining us here on bbc news. let's go back to that airbase aware our correspondent reda el mawy is waiting. we have been watching those events through the last three hours as they edge closer to coming where you are. ultimately, that is the plan as they get transferred and we see on our screens at the moment the earlier part of the choreography, which was the red cross convoy. they still have two arrive where you are, don't they?— don't they? yes, it hits at a military airbase _ don't they? yes, it hits at a military airbase in - don't they? yes, it hits at a military airbase in the - don't they? yes, it hits at a. military airbase in the desert don't they? yes, it hits at a - military airbase in the desert near the city of beersheba, the military personnel here told us they should be arriving here and from here, after undergoing medical assessment and security debriefing, they will assess the health situation of the released hostages if they need to spend the night here there is the central hospital here. those who can't travel will be —— can travel will be airlifted to different medical facilities will be airlifted to different medicalfacilities in will be airlifted to different medical facilities in tel aviv. will be airlifted to different medicalfacilities in tel aviv. this is the initial plan we have been told and we have not been informed of any changes in those plans are so far. . ~ of any changes in those plans are so far. ., ~ , ., of any changes in those plans are so far. . ~' , ., , of any changes in those plans are so far. ., ~ i. , . ., far. thank you very much, reda, we will return — far. thank you very much, reda, we will return to _ far. thank you very much, reda, we will return to you _ far. thank you very much, reda, we will return to you as _ far. thank you very much, reda, we will return to you as there _ far. thank you very much, reda, we will return to you as there is - will return to you as there is movement where you are. let's go to anna foster in tel aviv, taking us through a really busy last couple of hours. as bit by bit, they get closer to coming home. that is riuht. closer to coming home. that is right- we _ closer to coming home. that is right- we are _ closer to coming home. that is right. we are following - closer to coming home. that is right. we are following these l closer to coming home. that is - right. we are following these steps in piecing together these pieces of information where hearing from sources now. it is believed the hostages were kept below ground during their time hostages were kept below ground during theirtime in hostages were kept below ground during their time in captivity in gaza. i think that would make sense, it tallies with the experience of the four hostages who were released early on who said they had been kept below ground in the tunnel network that exists beneath gaza. they will be having comprehensive medical tests which i think will take place at various points and various locations. when they were handed over, we were led to believe there will be an initial test to check they were in good health, they were able to move, they were well enough to be brought back to israel without immediate medical attention. we have been told throughout that when they do arrive back on israeli soil, they will be sent to hospitals who are already prepared and ready to receive them. we know there are a number of hospitals who have been put on standby that families have been taken to because that is where the euro unions will take place as well. all of this has been prearranged, preagreed —— where the reunions will take place. they're waiting at the hospital is to be reunited with their loved ones and we know various levels of medical support have been put in place for those hostages. both physical and mental. let those hostages. both physical and mental. , ., ., ., mental. let me 'ust read out what we have been told — mental. let me just read out what we have been told in _ mental. let me just read out what we have been told in the _ mental. let me just read out what we have been told in the last _ mental. let me just read out what we have been told in the last few- have been told in the last few seconds. reporting that is really special forces are with the released hostages. that has come from the israeli military, a statement in the last little while. let me read the whole of the statement, four paragraphs, idf specialforces whole of the statement, four paragraphs, idf special forces and ourforces are paragraphs, idf special forces and our forces are currently with the released hostages. the hostages underwent an initial medical assessment inside israeli territory. they will continue to be accompanied by idf soldiers as they make their way to israeli hospitals where they will be reunited with their families. the israel defence forces salutes and embraces the released hostages upon their return home. the idf, together with the entire israeli security system will continue operating until all the hostages are returned home, and the idf spokesman reiterated having respect and patience and respect for the hostages and their families. respect and patience and respect for the hostages and theirfamilies. i will go back to the sentence in the middle of that, which is the initial medical assessments have been made inside israeli territory. they have been returned home. that inside israeli territory. they have been returned home.— inside israeli territory. they have been returned home. that is right. what we are _ been returned home. that is right. what we are starting _ been returned home. that is right. what we are starting to _ been returned home. that is right. what we are starting to her - been returned home. that is right. what we are starting to her now, l what we are starting to her now, matthew, is at the identities of some of those hostages who have been released. as we were reflecting, we had been told there was a very firm plan in place from the israeli government that until those hostages were back on israeli soil, that their identities were not to be revealed publicly because they did not want to do anything that would potentially jeopardise the not want to do anything that would potentiallyjeopardise the release of those hostages but i can tell you about some of those hostages now who we know have been released. we have a 72—year—old women who was taken after members of hamas murdered her husband segment, she has four children, and these are details that have been released to us by the hostage's family network. she they say she now returns to the embrace of her children and grandchildren and will be able to resume raising her grandchildren, living in the kibbutz, and returned to her hobbies of cooking, growing plants and reading books. a 72—year—old women confirmed as one of those hostages who has been confirmed as released. a 78 year woman who has been confirmed as release, a cancer survivor who has diabetes and fibre manager. she takes many additional medications. again, important to say that these are details that have been provided by the family's grip. we would not necessarily always be talking about some's medical conditions, but these are agreed details that have been given to us now. it says she is a nature lover, particularly loves birds, loves to hike, despite her health conditions, and last summer she went sailing in northern norway, this winter she has plans to travel to mozambique. she loves netting, sweaters and best for her grandchildren, and took part in a campaignfora her grandchildren, and took part in a campaign for a neonatal care unit —— she loves knitting. this is the moment that the country starts to put names to faces, some of which are very recognisable and some of the places are very recognisable as well. keep it steer on as we heard about the atrocities carried out there that day. —— kibbutz kibbutz nir oz. -- kibbutz kibbutz nir oz. thank you for takin: -- kibbutz kibbutz nir oz. thank you for taking us — -- kibbutz kibbutz nir oz. thank you for taking us through _ -- kibbutz kibbutz nir oz. thank you for taking us through some - -- kibbutz kibbutz nir oz. thank you for taking us through some of- -- kibbutz kibbutz nir oz. thank you for taking us through some of those | for taking us through some of those are details. so much crucial new information coming in the last few minutes. two of the names and information those hostages back on israeli territory. let's stay with that break and store it lots of new information coming in in terms of the hostage releases. qatar says the red cross has received 2a civilian hostages who were being held by hamas in gaza. qatar has confirmed that 13 are israeli, 10 are thai and one is from the philippines. earlier thailand's prime minister said 12 thai hostages had been released as part of a separate deal with hamas. let me take you through some of the latest information, because we had this statement from the idf, it is worth going through the key lines once again, because they have said idf special forces are currently with the released hostages, they said they have undergone a initial adequate assessment insight is really territory and that was the first confirmation that the israeli hostages were back home. they said, the initial medical assessment made inside is territory, and these pictures from earlier in that release process as they were taken through the rafah crossing and given by the red cross to the egyptian authorities. through the rest of the idea statement emma they said they will continue to be accompanied by idf soldiers as they we make their way to israeli hospitals to be reunited with their families