Israelis react as they look ahead to the discharge of Israelis nonetheless held in Gaza at Hostages Sq. in Tel Aviv early on Oct. 13, 2025.
Menahem Kahana/AFP by way of Getty Photos
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Menahem Kahana/AFP by way of Getty Photos
TEL AVIV — Hamas on Monday started releasing the ultimate Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza, a significant milestone within the efforts to finish the devastating two years of battle within the Palestinian territory.
Hamas initially handed over seven of the 20 dwelling hostages to the Worldwide Committee of the Crimson Cross, which in flip introduced them to the Israeli army, in line with an announcement by the army. The remaining 13 hostages had been anticipated to be launched shortly.
The army is flying the hostages by helicopter from southern Israel to hospitals within the Tel Aviv space. All of the hostages are males, principally of their 20s and 30s.
Israeli tv confirmed Einav Zangauker talking to her son, Matan Zangauker, 25, in a video name shortly after his launch. “There’s no war, it’s over. You are coming home,” she instructed him.
The hostage handover ignited celebrations all through Israel. Tens of 1000’s gathered in Hostages Sq., the plaza in Tel Aviv that has been the location of vigils all through the battle. The gang roared in jubilation and waved blue-and-white Israeli flags.
Hamas can be required handy over 28 our bodies of useless hostages, although the Palestinian group says it has not been capable of find all of them. In flip, Israel is making ready handy over almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as it’s required to do below the truce introduced final week. These exchanges are anticipated to start later Monday.
The fast-moving developments got here as President Trump landed in Israel. The president pressed laborious for the ceasefire deal and is extensively credited for getting it to the end line. Trump is scheduled to fulfill briefly with members of the family of the hostages after which deal with Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem.
Shortly afterward, Trump is ready to fly to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, the place the truce was negotiated final week, to participate in a proper signing ceremony.
On one other entrance, elevated help is starting to movement into Gaza, the place necessities have been in critically quick provide all through the battle. A whole lot of vehicles with help entered southern Gaza from Egypt on Sunday. The territory is in pressing want of meals, water, medication, gas and tents.
U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officers at Ben Gurion Worldwide Airport on Oct. 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photos
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photos
Take a look at for the ceasefire
The alternate of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is the primary main check of the ceasefire and was a number one demand by each the Israelis and Palestinians.
If each side full the complete alternate as deliberate, it would assist enhance the environment for the numerous powerful challenges forward.
Nevertheless, many obstacles stay. Israeli troops nonetheless maintain roughly half of Gaza and there isn’t any timetable for his or her full withdrawal.
The ceasefire additionally requires Hamas to surrender its weapons and play no position sooner or later governance of Gaza. Hamas has not publicly agreed to this, and Hamas civilian police have already re-emerged on the streets of the territory. There may be at present no different Palestinian group in Gaza that’s able to ruling the territory.
The ceasefire requires a gaggle of Palestinian technocrats to run Gaza on an interim foundation, however they haven’t been named and it’s not clear what sort of authority they might have, if any.
