Israel says it has killed thousands of the armed group’s members and destroyed much of its infrastructure, but since the cease-fire started Hamas has shown it still holds power in the enclave.

The first three Israeli hostages returning home under a long-awaited Gaza truce were transferred to the Red Cross overnight, a Hamas official and the Israeli military said. The hostages, all women, “were officially handed over to the Red Cross” in Gaza City ahead of their return to Israel, the senior Hamas official told AFP.

The three hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross and are on their way towards the Israeli military. Read more at straitstimes.com.