Nuseirat, Rafah - February 22, 2025 Gaza residents hope the second phase of the ceasefire deal will be implemented as early as possible after witnessing the handover of Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas on Saturday. A total of six Israeli hostages were handed over to the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in three locations in Gaza on Saturday -- the southern city of Rafah, the northern Gaza City, and the centrally situated refugee camp of al-Nuseirat. The releases were part of the seventh and final hostage-prisoner exchange of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement ceasefire deal began on January 19 with a 42-day truce that saw the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release and exchange of hostages between both sides. It was raining when the hostages were released in Rafah, but the weather did not deter thousands of Gaza residents from turning out for the event, with some expressing their hopes for peace. "We are here today to witness the handover of the final batch of hostage release in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. We hope that the second phase of the deal will soon be reached, bringing an end to the conflict and ensuring that the people in the region can live in peace. Seven or eight decades of displacement is more than enough. It is time to achieve lasting peace and end the wars," said Ahmed Moghal, a resident in Gaza. The release of six Israelis brought the number of hostages freed by Hamas in the first phase of the ceasefire to 25. Hamas said on the same day that it is ready to start negotiation of the next phase of the ceasefire deal with Israel and is willing to release all captives remaining in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region. "Gaza residents have paid a heavy price for this war, losing our loved ones, children, homeland, and property. We urge all relevant parties, including the negotiation representatives, to consider the sacrifices of the people of Gaza and work towards ending this war once and for all, or at the very least, ensure the successful implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. If the war continues, it will not only ruin our lives, but also destroy Israel, and the entire Gaza Strip," warned Gaza resident Muhammad Haji, as he expressed his hope for peace. The six hostages have arrived in Israeli territory. However, the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal was delayed "until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies" at handovers of Israeli captives in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday. Israel was due to release about 620 Palestinian detainees on Saturday after Hamas freed six hostages earlier in the day. The video shows: Rafah, Gaza strip - Feb 22, 2025 1. Various of handover ceremony 2. Armed personnel 3. Residents on unfinished building 4. Various of armed personnel in rain 5. Residents gathered at handover ceremony 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed Moghal, resident: "We are here today to witness the handover of the final batch of hostage releases in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. We hope that the second phase of the deal will soon be reached, bringing an end to the conflict and ensuring that the people in the region can live in peace. Seven or eight decades of displacement is more than enough. It is time to achieve lasting peace and end the wars." 7. Various of International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) staff, armed personnel at ceremony 8. Israeli hostage speaking at handover ceremony 9. Various of hostage taken by armed personnel 10. ICRC staff getting into vehicle 11. Armed personnel at ceremony Nuseirat, Gaza strip - Feb 22, 2025 12. ICRC vehicles running 13. ICRC vehicles, people at handover ceremony 14. Handover ceremony in progress 15. Armed personnel, people at ceremony 16. Various of Israeli hostages, armed personnel attending handover ceremony, people at ceremony 17. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Muhammad Haji, resident: "Gaza residents have paid a heavy price for this war, losing our loved ones, children, homeland, and property. We urge all relevant parties, including the negotiation representatives, to consider the sacrifices of the people of Gaza and work towards ending this war once and for all, or at the very least, ensure the successful implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. If the war continues, it will not only ruin our lives, but also destroy Israel, and the entire Gaza Strip." 18. Residents on unfinished building waving Palestinian flag 19. Armed personnel [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]