Hamas has freed all 20 of the remaining living hostages held in the Gaza Strip, marking a major milestone in the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel. In return, Israel has begun releasing approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, as both sides move to implement the terms of the truce.
Celebrations erupted in Israel early Monday after the first seven hostages were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Israeli military later confirmed that 13 additional captives, taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and held for over two years, were also safely transferred.
In the occupied West Bank, buses were stationed outside Ofer military prison as preparations continued for the release of Palestinian detainees. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, the prisoners’ release will proceed once Israel confirms that all living hostages are back on Israeli soil.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the first group of freed hostages as Guy Gilboa Dalal (24), Eitan Mor (25), Matan Angrest (22), Alon Ohel (24), twins Gali and Ziv Berman (28), and Omri Miran (48). Families were reunited in emotional scenes before the former captives were airlifted to hospitals for medical checks.
Journalists in Amman reported that the freed individuals appeared to be in “reasonable condition,” walking unaided and requiring minimal medical attention. Relatives described their loved ones as thin but stable, expressing immense relief after more than two years of uncertainty.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal, stipulates that all surviving captives be released by 09:00 GMT on Monday. However, Israel’s government indicated that the repatriation of the remaining 28 bodies would likely take longer, despite a 72-hour deadline in the deal.
While the future of Gaza and Hamas’s governance remains uncertain, the prisoner exchange has renewed cautious optimism for peace after years of bloodshed. The war has devastated Gaza, leaving at least 67,806 people dead and 170,066 injured, according to local health authorities.
The truce is also expected to open the way for a surge in humanitarian aid, offering temporary relief to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom are facing famine conditions under Israel’s blockade and months of relentless bombardment.
