Tel Aviv – In a significant breakthrough, Hamas released all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Monday, marking a pivotal moment in the ceasefire agreement aimed at pausing two years of devastating conflict between Israel and the militant group. The hostages, all men, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and subsequently transferred to Israeli authorities, reuniting them with their families.
The release occurred in two phases, with seven hostages freed early Monday followed by the remaining 13 a few hours later. Dramatic photos showed 28-year-old twins Gali and Ziv Berman embracing upon reunion – the twins were held separately in Kfar Aza. The freed hostages appeared pale but were in better condition than some previously released captives.
_“The war is over,”_ U.S. President Donald Trump declared to reporters upon arrival in Israel, though critical questions linger about Hamas and Gaza’s future. Trump landed in Tel Aviv Monday, planning meetings with hostage families and an address to Israel’s Knesset parliament. Vice President JD Vance indicated Trump likely would meet newly freed hostages.
Israelis celebrated wildly in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square as news broke of the first group entering Red Cross custody – tens of thousands watched public screenings nationwide. Their return caps Israel’s painful chapter since October 7, 2023 attacks sparked war; Israelis wore yellow solidarity pins/ribbons and demonstrated weekly demanding release.
In exchange, Israel will free approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners including 250 serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis plus 1,700 detained from Gaza without charge – buses awaited in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. Convoy left Ofer Prison West Bank carrying prisoners destined Beitunia amid flier warnings against backing “terrorist organizations”.
Ceasefire envisions Arab-led international Gaza security force plus Palestinian police trained Egypt/Jordan; Israeli forces withdraw as those deploy (~200 U.S. troops monitor). Plan mentions future Palestinian state – Netanyahu nonstarter. Bodies 28 dead hostages expected handed over; international task force locates unreturned within 72 hours (Gal Hirsch, Israel coordinator).
Gaza conflict killed tens thousands Palestinians per Health Ministry (~half women/children); war displaced ~90% Gaza’s 2 million residents amid destruction/famine (U.N. chief Tom Fletcher: _“Much of Gaza is a wasteland”_). Trump heads Egypt post-Israel stop discussing postwar plans.
