International leaders welcome release of 3 Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity

International leaders welcomed on Sunday the release of three Israeli female hostages who were held in captivity by the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack in 2023. In exchange, Israel released 90 security prisoners from Israeli jails in accordance with the deal agreed upon with Hamas. 

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump welcomed the release of the Israeli hostages on his Truth Social media platform. 

“Hostages starting to come out today! Three wonderful young women will be first,” Trump stated. Trump’s incoming national security advisor Mike Waltz wrote on 𝕏 that he was “relieved these three brave women are no longer suffering at the hands of Hamas terrorists in the tunnels below Gaza and once again are with their families.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the release of the British-Israeli dual national Emily Damari as “wonderful and long-overdue news.” The British premier commended the Damari family’s “tireless fight” to bring home their daughter and sister.

Starmer wished all three released hostages “the very best as they begin the road to recovery after the intolerable trauma they have experienced,” adding that the United Kingdom is “ready to offer assistance and support.”

While praising the release of the three Israeli hostages, Starmer stressed that there are still hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. 

“While this ceasefire deal should be welcomed, we must not forget about those who remain in captivity under Hamas,” the British prime minister stated. “We must now see the remaining phases of the ceasefire deal implemented in full and on schedule, including the release of those remaining hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he concluded. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also praised the return of the Israeli hostages. 

“Seeing families reunited, and knowing the tears of relief and joy it brings, is something we can all connect with,” Zelensky wrote on 𝕏. “As Ukrainians, we know the pain of separation and hope of bringing loved ones back home,” he continued. 

Zelensky concluded by articulating hope for peace and stability in the turbulent Middle East region. 

“The path to lasting peace and dignity for all people is still long and challenging, but we hope for further progress toward security, stability, and normal life in the entire Middle East.” 

“Ukraine wishes for peace, justice, and reliable security guarantees for all nations, just as we continue to fight for them ourselves,” Zelensky argued. 

Additionally, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu welcomed the news that dual Romanian-Israeli national Doron Steinbrecher and the two other hostages were released from Hamas captivity. 

“Their courage to endure captivity in such difficult conditions is an inspiration to us all,” Ciolacu wrote on Facebook. 

“We need the full implementation of the agreement to continue so that all hostages are safely released and we stand in solidarity with the families still awaiting the return of their loved ones,” the Romanian leader added. 

Meanwhile, Thailand’s foreign ministry welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. 

“Thailand welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza Strip,” the foreign ministry in Bangkok stated.

The ministry continued to express its thankfulness to the nations involved by saying it "commends Qatar, Egypt and the United States of America, for their pivotal role and continued efforts in mediating the conflicting parties towards the successful conclusion of the deal."

“[We] call on all sides to fully implement the deal, as well as the immediate release of all remaining hostages, including Thai nationals,” the ministry concluded. 

The terrorist organization Hamas still holds 10 foreign nationals including eight Thai citizens in captivity in the Gaza Strip.