After more than two years held captive in Gaza, Hamas has released all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages.
Parents were reunited with sons, and children with fathers, as the hostages were handed over to the Red Cross before finally rejoining their families with assistance from the Israeli army. Even before their release, Hamas allowed some hostages to make video calls home on Monday morning.
Emotional footage was broadcast by Israeli media to an estimated 65,000 people gathered in front of large screens at “hostages square” in Tel Aviv, and to millions more watching from home.
The family of Omri Miran, 48, who was taken from his wife and two children during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, at Nahal Oz kibbutz, called his return a victory for “an entire people.” They said, “After more than 700 long, painful, and agonizing days, Omri will finally receive a healing embrace from his children, Roni and Alma. We thank the people of Israel from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us during our darkest hours, when this moment seemed like a distant and impossible dream. Today is not a personal victory but a victory for all our people.
We also express our deep gratitude to the security forces and the heroic IDF soldiers. We are at the start of a complex and challenging, yet moving, journey of recovery. We remain committed until every last hostage returns and our beloved country fully recovers. May Omri’s return mark the beginning of this recovery and the unity of our people.”
The family of Matan Angrest, a 22-year-old IDF soldier captured when his tank was attacked near the Gaza border fence, praised Donald Trump. They have been critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the ongoing war. “We can breathe again. Our Matan is home. Our beloved boy has been returned after two difficult years, and we are so proud of him. A huge, historic, and eternal thank you to the U.S. president and his team, who worked tirelessly for the rescue and return of our loved ones. Our family’s joy is mixed with sadness for those who were murdered and not returned alive.”
Overnight, Israeli ministers approved a list of 1,718 Palestinian prisoners to be released, following the handover of 28 deceased Israeli hostages.
The day began with Hamas issuing a list of the 20 living hostages—all men—they planned to release. For many families, this was the first confirmation their loved ones were still alive.
At “hostages square” in Tel Aviv, the crowd cheered loudly shortly after 8:15 a.m. local time when it was announced that the first seven live hostages had been released to the Red Cross.
Soon after, the crowd erupted again as Air Force One, carrying Donald Trump, flew over the square en route to the Knesset in Jerusalem, where he was scheduled to speak later that day.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the release of the first hostages and emphasized that Israel awaits the return of all remaining captives. “With thanks to God, we welcome our loved ones. We are waiting for everyone—every last one,” Herzog said.
Around 11 a.m. local time, Israeli media reported that the final 13 living hostages had been received by the Red Cross.A crowd expressed their gratitude to Trump, who is widely recognized for facilitating the return of the hostages. Upon arriving at the Knesset, Trump wrote in the guest book: “It’s a great honor for me – a wonderful and beautiful day. A new beginning.”
Standing alongside Netanyahu, Trump added, “As far as I’m concerned, the war is over.”
Trump plans to meet with the families of the hostages and may also spend time with some of those freed by Hamas. He will then travel to Egypt, where President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s office announced that Trump will co-chair a “peace summit” on Monday with regional and international leaders.
For the past two years, people have gathered daily at Hostages Square to show support for the families of those taken by Hamas during the abduction on October 7, 2023. Protesters occupied the square, which faces the Israeli military headquarters, holding rallies to demand the return of hostages from Gaza.
Early on Monday morning, hundreds of people assembled, and tens of thousands more joined as the day progressed, watching live footage on large screens set up around the square.
Julie Kupershtein, whose son Bar was taken while working as a paramedic at the Nova music festival, spoke with him in a video call before his release. She said, “Seeing my child after two years – everything is fine. Thank you to the soldiers, thank you to everyone. We were in the compound, and suddenly I had a conversation, suddenly I saw Bar. I screamed to the sky. It was crazy. To see them, these pure, righteous children, alive. I’m shaking all over.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “Today marks the first crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East. Now we must deliver lasting peace and a secure future for the entire region. The UK is providing additional humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and will lead efforts to accelerate its reconstruction.”
The EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, welcomed the release of the first hostages and praised Trump’s role in this “crucial milestone towards peace,” saying, “President Trump made this breakthrough possible.”
The ceasefire and the exchange of hostages and prisoners for a limited Israeli military withdrawal represent just the initial phase of a 20-point peace plan. Key issues, such as the future of Hamas and Gaza, and whether the militant group will disarm, remain unresolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the release of the 20 surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas designed with clear natural questions and direct answers
Basic Information Context
1 Who is Hamas
Hamas is a Palestinian political and military organization that governs the Gaza Strip It is designated as a terrorist group by Israel the United States the European Union and others
2 What is the Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip is a small densely populated piece of land on the Mediterranean coast bordering Israel and Egypt It is home to approximately 2 million Palestinians and is governed by Hamas
3 What is a hostage
A hostage is a person who is captured and held prisoner typically to force a government or other authority to meet certain demands such as the release of prisoners or policy changes
4 How long were these hostages held
They were held for two years
5 Were all the hostages released
No the news specifies that 20 surviving hostages were released This implies that there may have been other hostages who were taken but did not survive the twoyear captivity
The Release Process
6 Why did Hamas release the hostages now
Hostage releases are often the result of complex negotiations frequently involving a thirdparty mediator and a prisoner exchange where Israel releases Palestinian prisoners in return
7 Was there a prisoner swap involved
While this specific FAQ is based on a hypothetical scenario such releases are almost always part of a negotiated prisoner exchange You would need to check the latest news for the specific terms of this release
8 Who negotiated this release
Countries like Qatar and Egypt often act as mediators between Hamas and Israel because the two sides do not engage in direct talks
9 What happens to the hostages after they are released
They are typically received by Israeli authorities and the International Committee of the Red Cross They then undergo immediate medical checks psychological support and are reunited with their families
Deeper Questions Implications
10 What is the psychological impact on the released hostages
Former hostages often suffer from severe psychological trauma including PostTraumatic Stress Disorder anxiety and depression They require longterm specialized care and support to reintegrate into normal life
