By Irwin Cotler and Brandon Silver

The release of three Israeli captives marks an important milestone in the implementation of the agreement for the return of hostages to their loved ones.

Hostages Romi, Doron and Emily were <a data-evt-val="{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;taunted and tormented by howling mobs&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https://www.instagram.com/emilyintelaviv/reel/DFA9A2JoIH9/&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-evt="click" data-evt-typ="click" href="https://www.instagram.com/emilyintelaviv/reel/DFA9A2JoIH9/" target="_blank">taunted and tormented by howling mobs</a> — broadcast live on Qatari state media Al Jazeera — as they were transferred by Hamas to the custody of the Red Cross, the first time the international aid organization had seen them in their <a data-evt-val="{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;470 days&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-confirms-4-female-hostages-to-be-released-on-saturday-without-naming-them/&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-evt="click" data-evt-typ="click" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-confirms-4-female-hostages-to-be-released-on-saturday-without-naming-them/" target="_blank">470 days</a> of captivity.

Hostage-taking is an illegal crime against humanity. It should not be a bargaining tool{ai:summary}The release of three Israeli hostages, Romi, Doron, and Emily, signifies a key step in the agreement for their return. They were subjected to public torment during their transfer from Hamas to the Red Cross, marking the first time the organization had access to them in 470 days. #foreignaffairs

Opinion: Freeing hostages should be a standalone imperative

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