Hostages are returning after 15 months in captivity as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, and with their freedom, the first details of their ordeals are emerging. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.

During the cease-fire's six-week first phase, 33 Israeli hostages are to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel says it has received information from Hamas that eight of those hostages are dead. About 80 hostages remain in Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Hamas militants freed an American Israeli and two other men held hostage in the Gaza Strip and Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners amid the cease-fire.

Keith spent a staggering six months of his captivity alone cumulatively, his brother said, adding that the last two months of his captivity were spent entirely alone.

A freed Hamas hostage asked a heartbreaking 11-word question after being freed as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and the militant organization