Tel Aviv: A second group of 13 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been released and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), AFP reported, citing a public radio on Monday.

The hostages are part of a larger group set to be freed under the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas. The Red Cross is facilitating their safe transfer to Israeli authorities, who will then move them to military bases and hospitals before reuniting them with their families.

Earlier, the first batch of hostages was released as part of the humanitarian arrangement, marking a significant step in easing tensions after the two-year conflict.

The authorities have deployed medical teams and ambulances along the transfer route to ensure the safety and well-being of the returning hostages. U.S. and regional leaders are closely monitoring the exchange as part of broader efforts to stabilise the situation in Gaza.

The hostages' return caps a painful chapter for Israel. Since they were captured in the October 2023 Hamas attack that ignited the war, newscasts have marked their days in captivity, and Israelis have worn yellow pins and ribbons in solidarity. Tens of thousands have joined their families in weekly demonstrations calling for their release.

As the war dragged on, demonstrators accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging his feet for political purposes, even as he accused Hamas of intransigence. Last week, under heavy international pressure and increasing isolation for Israel, the bitter enemies agreed to the ceasefire.

With the hostages' release, the sense of urgency around the war for many Israelis will be effectively over.