This evening, four of the nearly 40 children who have been held hostage since October 7 in underground tunnels in Gaza were released back to their homes in Israel.

Among them were Emilia Aloni, 5, from Yavneh; Ohad Mundar, 9, from Nir Oz; Raz Katz, 4, from Nir Oz; and Aviv Katz, 2, from Nir Oz, Emily Hana, Hila Rotem-Shoshani, Noam Avigdori, Yael and Nave Shoham, Alma Or, Noam Or, 

They were released as part of a group of 13 Israeli women and children in exchange for 39 convicted Palestinian prisoners. An IDF statement confirmed that the 13 hostages have safely made it into Israeli territory, where they have undergone an initial medical assessment. 

Accompanied by IDF soldiers, they are reportedly on their way to Israeli hospitals where they will be reunited with their families.

The following children are still being held hostage in Gaza:

Yahel Korngold, 3

Yagil Yaakov, 13

Kfir Bibas, 9 months

Sahar Kalderon, 16

Liri Albag, 18

Mia Leimberg, 17

Noga Weiss, 18

Ofir Engel, turned 18 in captivity

Ofri Brodutch, 10

Uriya Brodetz, 5

Or Yaakov, 16

Tal Goldstein-Almog, 9

Yuval Brodetz, 8

Yuval Engel, 11

Agam Goldstein-Almog, 17

Ariel Bibas, 4

Avigail Idan, 3

Dafna Eyakim, 15

Amit Shani, 16

Eitan Yaholomi, 12

Ella Elyakim, 8

Emma Cunio, 3 and her twin, Yulie, both 3

Gal Goldstein-Almog, 11

Erez Kalderon, 12

Mika Engel, 18

Liam Or, 18

Aisha al-Zayadna, 17

Gali Tarshansky, 13