Key Points
- All remaining living Israeli hostages reunite with loved ones
- Antonio Guterres urges momentum on peace in Gaza after exchange
- Spain fights injuries as it continues campaign to qualify for World Cup
TRANSCRIPT
In Gaza, crowds of thousands have gathered at Nasser hospital to greet Palestinian prisoners arriving on buses after they were released by Israel as part of a US led ceasefire deal.
Some were paraded through the crowd and embraced by family members and friends.
Freed Palestinian prisoner Saed Shubeir tried to describe the joy of freedom.
"The feeling is indescribable. Seeing the sun without bars is an indescribable feeling. My hands are free from the handcuffs. This is a feeling beyond description. Freedom is priceless.”
Israel has freed more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees after Hamas released all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
In Israel, there were scenes of tears and uncontained happiness as the hostages were reunited with loved ones before being taken to hospitals for medical checks.
At Beilinson Hospital in central Israel, Dr Lena Koren Feldman said welcoming the hostages home was a privilege.
"At this very hour, the returnees are being admitted to the ward embraced by their families, surrounded and supported with love and care by our teams."
The Israeli military has confirmed it has escorted the bodies of four hostages recovered from Gaza into Israel for forensic identification.
According to Israel, Hamas still holds the bodies of 24 other hostages, which are expected to be returned under the ceasefire deal, though the timing remains uncertain.
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Since the ceasefire, a weakened Hamas is reasserting control in Gaza, killing at least 33 people over the weekend in a crackdown on rivals.
As it freed the last living hostages seized from Israel two years ago, Reuters footage shows Hamas deploying members of its military wing to Gaza streets.
It's a reminder of one of the major challenges facing US President Donald Trump's effort to secure lasting peace for Gaza.
As part of the agreed peace deal, the US, Israel and many other nations demand Hamas disarm.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the release of hostages "provides momentum that must be used to end the war between Palestinian militants and Israel in the Gaza Strip".
This exchange - as part of the first phase of a United States-proposed peace plan - has seen Israel release nearly 2000 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, and Gaza release the surviving Israeli hostages, after two years in captivity.
In a statement on social media platform X, Mr Gutteres urges all parties involved to leverage on this and to honour their commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq says the ceasefire proposed by U-S President Donald Trump had given "the people of Gaza and Israel a fragile hope of calm after months of devastation."
"The United Nations and its partners are rapidly scaling up operations across Gaza. UN agencies are reaching communities in areas that were cut off for months, delivering life-saving assistance. These efforts mark an essential first step in stabilising conditions and restoring basic human dignity, but the needs remain vast and sustained access and funding are critical. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to consolidate the ceasefire and transform it into lasting peace."
Mr Haq says the Secretary-General appeals to regional and international parties to restart a credible political process that's able to deliver the outcome of two independent, sovereign, democratic states of Israel and Palestine.
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To domestic news now, and Liberal leader Sussan Ley has announced major changes to the Coalition frontbench.
Tasmanian Senator Jonathon Duniam has become the opposition spokesperson for Home Affairs, after Andrew Hastie resigned from that role last week.
Julian Leeser will take up Mr Duniam's previous portfolio - education and early Learning - and retains his position as opposition spokesperson for the arts.
Mr Leeser had the legal affairs portfolio, but that will now go to Queensland M-P Andrew Wallace.
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Australian actress Naomi Watts has been honoured with a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Famous for her roles in classic movies, including Mulholland Drive and the Ring, Ms Watts has been acting for decades.
In recent years, the 57-year-old has continued acting, while becoming an advocate against ageism and speaking extensively about women's health issues, including menopause.
"I consider today a moment where those two worlds collide. This monument is a testament to the fact that a woman's viability does not end when she turns 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 or onwards.”
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To sport and in football, in coming hours, Spain hopes to continue its dominant start to World Cup qualification, playing Bulgaria at home.
Under coach Luis de la Fuente, the side overcame injuries in key players, to beat Georgia 2-nil on the weekend.
But they'll be continuing without forward Ferran Torres, who is nursing his hamstring after the 90-minute match.
Coach De la Fuente says victory will come from work - not talent.
"Everything here is earned. Tomorrow, our responsibility is to keep winning. We want to keep winning. This team is very hungry, and tomorrow’s match carries added significance because we can almost clinch qualification (for the World Cup)."
Despite the setbacks, Spain are top of Group E with nine points, three ahead of Turkey while Georgia remain third on three.
Bulgaria sit rock bottom having suffered three consecutive defeats to start their campaign.
