Overjoyed: Amelia Aloni (6) hugs her grandmother. Amelia and her mother, Danielle, finally returned to Israel on Friday.

DLNews Hostages Update:

On Friday night, the news about the release of thirteen Israeli prisoners in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square quickly spread with visible waves of joyful anticipation among people who were checking reports on their cell phones. As soon as multiple sources on their cell phones confirmed the news, residents, and visitors began to feel a sense of quiet joy.

The 13 hostages were released today.

A woman in her 70s stood in the middle of the square and clapped. "I'm so delighted," she exclaimed, "we've waited so long. Her husband wrapped his arms tightly around her and told her he had been waiting "all day for this momentous occasion."

Hamas terrorists released another group of prisoners early Saturday morning, including the mother and daughter of an American couple, Judith and Natalie Raanan. Coinciding with Judith's 85th birthday and Natalie's 18th birthday, their release sparked great joy in the American Jewish community.

Rachel Bakeer, a Jewish journalist from the Chicago area who covered Gaza for Al Jazeera, was not entirely relieved that her family had returned home safely. Instead, she feared that the violence there might continue. "I'm glad they are safe, but I'm not sure if the rest of Gaza feels the same way," she said.

As people celebrated, several families voiced their concerns about accommodating Hamas while suspending efforts to dismantle it. This concern may be understandable, but it also shows the delicate balance that needs to be struck to free all the hostages still held by Hamas.

Issam al-Masri was not released according to the terms of the deal; all prisoners must be removed from this agreement. He was identified as part of a militant cell that killed four Israeli settlers during an unsuccessful sting operation on November 6, 2012. His release could depend on whether negotiations with Israel continue.

Eleven Thai nationals and one Filipino were released on Saturday and spent the night at Shamir-Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center for medical examinations before returning home.

Reunited: Dad Yoni (37, 2nd from left) with Raz (4, left), mom Doron (34, 3rd from left), and little Aviv, who was held captive by Hamas for 49 days.

The first hostages finally returned home, and their relatives welcomed them with tears of joy and cheers. For example, Judith Raanan from Evanston, Illinois, was overjoyed to be reunited with Natalie, who had been separated from her since her capture by Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7. It had been several months since they last saw each other, and their reunion was even more special as Natalie's release fell on her birthday. Upon seeing her mother, Natalie immediately put on her birthday cap, and tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks. The hospital has reported that both mother and daughter are in excellent physical condition.