Tel Aviv, October 13, 2025 In a landmark moment, all 20 remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attack were released today under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal spearheaded by President Donald Trump. The agreement, part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, also saw the transfer of 28 deceased hostages’ bodies, marking the end of a two-year ordeal that gripped Israel and the world. In exchange, Israel is releasing approximately 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences, and 360 militants’ bodies. The Rafah crossing into Egypt reopens tomorrow for aid and returns, signaling a fragile step toward peace.
A Day of Reunions and Relief
The releases began at dawn, with no public ceremonies as stipulated. Hamas handed over the hostages in two phases to the International Red Cross (ICRC) amid reports of internal Gaza clashes, where Palestinian militias killed dozens of Hamas members. U.S. and international monitors oversaw compliance. The first group of seven hostages was transferred between 4-6 a.m. local time, followed by 13 more around 10 a.m. The bodies of deceased hostages followed, with a multinational task force now tasked to locate any unaccounted remains.
All 20 living hostages—abducted from the Nova music festival, kibbutzim, or military posts—are now undergoing medical evaluations at Re’im base before emotional family reunions at Sheba and Ichilov hospitals in Tel Aviv. Early images, cleared by the IDF and Government Press Office (GPO), show frail but relieved captives, some smiling with IDF officers. Many endured tunnels, starvation, untreated injuries, and psychological torment, yet displayed remarkable resilience, with reports of captives boosting each other’s morale during captivity.
The Released: Stories of Survival
The freed hostages include:
- Alon Ohel, 24, a pianist from Lavon with German-Serbian-Israeli citizenship, abducted from a Nova festival shelter. Seen in September 2025 Hamas videos, he was blind in one eye from shrapnel. His family called him their “silent warrior.”
- Eitan Mor, 25, a security guard from Kiryat Arba who saved dozens at Nova before capture. He acted as a “spokesman” to captors, lifting spirits. His mother noted his smile despite looking “thin and pale.”
- Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24, an anime fan from Nir Oz, kidnapped with friend Evyatar David. Dehydrated and partially deaf from captivity, he was seen in a February 2025 video with despair in his eyes.
- Omri Miran, 48, a father of two from Nahal Oz, dragged from home in his car. His wife sent daily WhatsApp updates awaiting his return.
- Gali and Ziv Berman, 27, twins from Kfar Aza. Gali, a sociable sound tech, and Ziv, a sneaker enthusiast, were likely held separately. Their family received signs of life in February.
- Matan Angrest, 22, an IDF soldier and soccer fan from Lehavim, captured when his tank was hit near the Gaza fence.
- Second Group (13 hostages): Includes Evyatar David, 24, a café manager; Avinatan Or, 32, an engineer; Bar Kupershtein, 23, a motorcycle enthusiast; Elkana Bohbot, 36, a festival worker; Eitan Horn, 39, a youth leader; Maksim Herkin, 23, a dual Russian-Israeli citizen; Segev Kalfon, 27, a Nova escapee; and Edan Alexander, 21, a U.S.-Israeli soldier, among others.
Medical teams report risks of PTSD and malnutrition, but families describe the reunions as “second birthdays.” Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square erupted in cheers as news spread.
The Deal: A Fragile Breakthrough
The agreement, approved by Israel’s security cabinet on October 9, followed intense negotiations. Key milestones:
- October 8: Trump announced Phase 1; Hamas signaled readiness.
- October 9: Israel approved the deal; a 24-hour ceasefire countdown began.
- October 10: IDF partially withdrew; a 72-hour hostage release clock started (ending noon October 13).
- October 11-12: Aid entered Gaza; families gathered in Tel Aviv.
- October 13: Releases completed; Trump arrived in Israel to address the Knesset and meet families, declaring, “The war is over.”
The deal follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which killed ~1,200 and abducted 251. Prior to today, 155 living hostages returned through earlier ceasefires, rescues, and unilateral releases, with 58 bodies repatriated. Hamas now holds zero living Israeli hostages, though locating all deceased remains is ongoing.
Broader Implications
The ceasefire opens Phase 2 talks on Gaza’s governance and Hamas’s disarmament, with Egypt hosting a summit tomorrow. Challenges persist: Gaza’s infrastructure is devastated, with ~67,000 Palestinian deaths reported by the UN. Internal Gaza violence and the prisoner exchange’s scale spark mixed reactions. In Israel, families celebrate but demand closure on missing bodies. In Gaza, prisoner releases bring joy, but the war’s toll looms large.
Trump’s visit, including a Ben Gurion Airport meeting with Netanyahu, underscores U.S. involvement. Protests in Tel Aviv call for lasting peace, while international leaders (UK, France, Turkey, UN) prepare for tomorrow’s talks.
Where to Watch
Live coverage is available via IDF/GPO images on X, Al Jazeera, Haaretz, and i24News. Hostages Square in Tel Aviv hosts emotional vigils tonight. As Israel and Gaza navigate this turning point, the world watches for signs of enduring peace.