Good evening. I'm John Yang. Tonight, three women are back on Israeli soil for the first time in 15 months since they were kidnapped in the October 7th Hamas attacks and held captive in Gaza.

Their return follows the implementation of the long-awaited ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, pausing a war that's left Gaza devastated.

Hamas turned the women over to the Red Cross in Gaza,

which transferred them to the Israeli military.

They were reunited with families and taken to a hospital.

The freed hostages are Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Daron Steinbrecker.

Their safe return sparked celebrations across the country

as jubilant Israelis danced and waved flags.

There was jubilation two in Gaza at the ceasefire

and Israel's promised release of Palestinian prisoners.

Trucks laden with badly needed aid were seen in southern Israel

headed to crossing points into Gaza. In the United States, President Biden hailed it as a step forward.

Today alone, we anticipate several hundred trucks will enter the Gaza Strip as I'm probably as I'm speaking.

And after so much pain destruction, loss of life, today the guns in Gaza have gone silent.

Hamas captured seven U.S. citizens on October 7th. Only three are thought to be still living.

Sakeh Dekyllhen and Keith Siegel, both are on the Hamas list of those to be released in the first phase.

And Edon Alexander, who is not on that list. Earlier, I spoke with Alexander's father, Adi, and asked him how he felt about today.

It was a great start to begin with.

Today, it was a great day.

We are hopeful that Edan will be out between now and 42 days from now, although the road is still ahead of us and a lot of work to be done.

As you say, it's a long road ahead. There may be some bumps on that road. Are you concerned that there may be some bumps before Edan is released?

I'm sure it will be a bumpy road, but I have no doubt about the execution of the whole phases

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