Joyful celebrations have broken out in Tel Aviv as the first three Israeli hostages were released under the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas. Friends and relatives of the three women clapped and cheered in Hostages Square in central Tel Aviv when their release was confirmed,

The crowds in Tel Aviv's "Hostage Square" cheered and whooped with joy late Sunday at the news that the first three hostages freed under the Gaza ceasefire deal had returned to Israel.There was elation among those who had waited for hours in the plaza in the centre of Israel's commercial hub opposite Israeli military headquarters.

Gathered in a conference room at an undisclosed location alongside military personnel, the families were exuberant as they witnessed the end of 471 days of captivity for their relatives.