2 freed hostages identified as Mia Schem, Amit Soussana; released by Hamas in Gaza City

The Israel Defense Forces says two hostages released by Hamas to the Red Cross have been handed over to special forces and members of the Shin Bet security agency in northern Gaza, close to the security barrier.

The pair are identified as 21-year-old Mia Schem and 40-year-old Amit Soussana.

They are being escorted to Israeli territory, and will be brought to the Hatzerim Airbase in southern Israel.

Schem’s father hails her release, and notes that she holds dual French citizenship.

In the coming hours, several more hostages will be released.

“The families of the hostages are being updated by IDF representatives with the latest available information,” the IDF says.

Video from Gaza City shows Hamas terrorists handing over Schem and Soussana to the Red Cross before they were transferred to Israeli custody. The video shows large crowds in the area.

According to Channel 12 news’ Palestinian affairs reporter Ohad Hemo, the handover took place in a part of the city where the IDF held control before the start of the truce last week, and may have been staged there as a show of force by Hamas.