to be handed back to israeli officials. we know that 13 is really hostages are due to be released and would also be released is separate to that deal. 39 palestinian prisoners who are being held in israeli jails also being exchanged for those hostages. now as we continue to watch those live pictures, joining us now on the line, our correspondent lucy williamson. and the occupied west bank. lucy, we sawjubilant scenes and the occupied west bank. lucy, we saw jubilant scenes there yesterday as prisoners were released by this time yesterday. we ve had these delays, what is happening where you are now? right, this sounds like we are have communication problems here. we can t make contact with lucy at the moment. so we ll keep trying, lucy williamson our correspondent in the west bank. let s head tojerusalem with our correspondent tom bateman. it seems that the problems have been ironed out now, do we know what stage the release process is at? while we know it is due to take place
happening now, breaking news. dramatic developments here in the middle east. the first major release of hostages since the hamas attacks on october 7th. 13 israelis and 11 foreign nationals finally free from gaza after nearly seven weeks. i m wolf blitzer live in tel aviv, israel. and i m jim acosta here in washington. president biden is vowing to return every single american hostage even though none were included in today s agreement. as the president says it s unclear if americans will be included in the next release but praised today s hand-off as a promising sign. we want to welcome our viewers in the united states and around the world. you re in the situation room. the breaking news this hour, an outpouring of emotion here in israel as hamas releases 24 hostages kidnapped back on october 7th. cnn s matthew chance has details including a closer look at the video hamas released of the hostage hand-off inside gaza. they kidnapped and killed, but now hamas is showing
moment. was there anything i missed? he said he really hoped the momentum round this would lead to further and deep negotiations and did make the point as we discussed that the aid that will be getting across is a fraction of what is needed at the moment. but he made the point anna, very much they are ready to go on the ground and he didn t comment, did he, on why we have seen this delay? did he, on why we have seen this dela ? ., ., , delay? no, he didn t. that is something delay? no, he didn t. that is something we delay? no, he didn t. that is something we have - delay? no, he didn t. that is something we have been - delay? no, he didn t. that is i something we have been trying delay? no, he didn t. that is - something we have been trying to work out. at this time yesterday the suggestion was everything was ready to go. there were timings which hadn t been officially confirmed for today but they were being widely reported last night. evening news programmes were talk