In return, Israel released 369 terrorists later on Saturday—36 serving life sentences.

Even by the dismal standards, Saturday’s coverage of the hostage-prisoner exchange was a new low.

Reacting to the emaciated appearance of the hostages, the Prime Minister's Office declared,'The shocking images that we have seen today will not go unaddressed.'

Agam was released on Thursday after 482 days as a hostage in Gaza and was reunited with other female military lookouts who were freed from captivity a week earlier.

Seventy-nine hostages remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza, including 76 abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023, invasion.

Jerusalem had ordered their release held up 'until the safe exit of our hostages during the next waves is guaranteed.'

Hamas also released five Thais on Thursday afternoon, as Jerusalem was readying to free 110 Palestinian Arab terrorists.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer reports that Hamas stated 25 of the hostages are alive.

'The prayers and strength you sent accompanied us the entire way and helped us believe that this nightmare would eventually end.'

Doron Steinbrecher, Romi Gonen and Emily Damari are being taken to Ramat Gan for a medical evaluation.

Still-displaced residents of Kibbutz Be’eri who are hosted in Hatzerim joined the festivities.

Former hostages Noa Argamani, 27, and Hila Rotem Shoshani, 13, surprise former hostage Emily Hand on her 10th birthday, bringing her trays of donuts.

She says that during her 55 days in captivity, what kept her going was her faith that she would survive.

Alkadi was not given gentler treatment by his fellow Muslims but as a hostage was treated 'like an Israeli' and was kept with Israeli captives, one of whom died by his side.