“Every member of the Georgian Embassy in Israel shares in the joy of the hostages’ families and the entire State of Israel,” reads the statement shared by the Georgian Embassy in Israel.

“The return of the hostages is a ray of light and fills us with hope. We wish them a swift recovery and success in continuing their lives. Alongside the joy, sorrow persists for those who have passed away,” the Embassy’s statement notes.

A total of 20 hostages were held captive by Hamas. Hamas released the hostages in two stages. In the first stage, Hamas freed seven hostages, who are now in Israel. The released hostages will undergo preliminary medical examinations at Reim Field Hospital, where they will be reunited with their family members. Meanwhile, Hamas has handed over the remaining 13 hostages to the Red Cross, and they will be released in the coming hours.

Israel is also preparing to release prisoners, with 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans, including 22 children, due to be handed over to Hamas.