In a statement issued on social media, the Israel Defense Forces said: “Seven returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and ISA forces on their return to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment.”

Hamas handed over the seven hostages to the Red Cross, which is facilitating the hostage release and prisoner transfer.

“The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on,” the IDF statement added.

The seven released hostages have been identified as by the Israeli government as “Alon Ohel, Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Eitan Mor and Omri Miran,” but no details have been shared about their condition.

The IDF previously tweeted that the Red Cross was on its way to “a meeting point in northern Gaza where several hostages will be transferred into their custody.”

In an earlier statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had started a “multi-phase operation to facilitate the transfer” of the hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s custody.