The families of the 17 hostages released from Gaza have begun to respond to the news. 

Inbal Tzach is the cousin of Adi Shoham, who was released with her family tonight. 

Mr Tzach said it is the “saddest joy and the happiest sadness” as he is happy his loved ones have been released, but “the struggle has not ended”. 

He said they are still waiting for one other member of their family to be released, as well as all the other hostages still in Gaza.

“We still have a long way to go. This is an emotional evening for the families who received their loved ones tonight,” he said. 

“We will continue the struggle until everyone comes home.”

‘We are impatiently waiting to hug loved ones’

Zohar Avigdori, the uncle of Noam Avigdori and sister-in-law to Sharon Avigdori, has also spoken.

She said her family are “very excited” about the release of their relatives.

“Our legs are shaking and we are impatiently waiting to hug our loved ones, Noam and Sharon,” she said.

“We don’t forget for a moment that these are the same legs that will continue the journey to sustain us in the long journey that is still ahead of us – until the safe return of all the hostages.”