‘Day of joy’ as ceasefire begins, hostages freed

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday praised the release of three Israeli hostages as the Gaza ceasefire took effect.

“Today is a day of joy. The hostages held by Hamas have been released and reunited with their families,” Scholz posted on X.

“All the hostages must be released, and more humanitarian aid must rapidly enter the Gaza Strip,” he added.

Scholz’s comments were echoed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who wrote on X: “Relief and sadness are today close to each other. Pure relief that the hostages will be able to embrace their dear ones after 471 days, but also sadness at the certainty that not all have survived the horror.”

“Everything is still lacking: food, medical care and emergency accommodation,” she added. “We will do everything along with our partners to ensure that the urgently needed aid, as agreed, will reach them quickly.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday praised the release of three Israeli hostages as the Gaza ceasefire took effect.

“Today is a day of joy. The hostages held by Hamas have been released and reunited with their families,” Scholz posted on X.

“All the hostages must be released, and more humanitarian aid must rapidly enter the Gaza Strip,” he added.

Scholz’s comments were echoed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who wrote on X: “Relief and sadness are today close to each other. Pure relief that the hostages will be able to embrace their dear ones after 471 days, but also sadness at the certainty that not all have survived the horror.”

“Everything is still lacking: food, medical care and emergency accommodation,” she added. “We will do everything along with our partners to ensure that the urgently needed aid, as agreed, will reach them quickly.”