An Israeli campaign group said the release of three hostages by Hamas on Saturday “brings a ray of light” after more than 15 months of captivity in the Gaza Strip, AFP reports.

“Their release today brings a ray of light in the darkness, offering hope and demonstrating the triumph of the human spirit,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement after captives Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel and Ofer Kalderon were freed.