Hamas Parades Israeli Hostages At Slick Ceremony Before Release

The four Israeli hostages, all soldiers, emerged to whistles, cheers and shouts from the crowd as Hamas camera crews and photographers swarmed around them. (Credit: AFP)

Clutching Hamas-branded gift bags and wearing military fatigues, the four Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas on Saturday to the Red Cross waved and gave thumbs up as they were paraded on stage before dozens of militants and a huge crowd.

Hundreds of Gaza residents who gathered to watch the scene responded with cheers, whistles and shouts before the women were escorted off stage and into the hands of the Red Cross, an AFP reporter said.