Hamas has released the first seven of the remaining 20 Israeli hostages, after more than 783 days in captivity in Gaza, the Israeli military announced on Monday.
The releases come under a ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, ending more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Under the deal, Hamas is expected to release all surviving hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
“According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli military and security services said in a joint statement. “The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on.”
In Tel Aviv, hundreds gathered at Hostages Square erupted in joy as news of the first releases broke. Among them, Noga, a relative of one of the captives, shared her mixed emotions.
“I’m torn between emotion and sadness for those who won’t be coming back,” she told AFP.
The October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel saw militants seize 251 hostages and kill 1,219 people, mostly civilians. While most captives were freed during earlier truces, 47 had remained in captivity until now, with their families enduring years of anguish.
In Gaza, the ceasefire has brought relief after months of devastation. However, large parts of the territory remain in ruins.
“My eyes kept searching for landmarks I had lost—nothing looked the same,” said 38-year-old Fatima Salem, who returned to her destroyed neighbourhood in Sheikh Radwan, Gaza City. “Despite the exhaustion and fear, I felt like I was coming back to my safe place. We will pitch a tent next to the rubble and wait for reconstruction.”
According to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, all 20 surviving hostages are expected to be handed over to the Red Cross by early Monday morning. In return, Israel will release about 2,000 Palestinian detainees as part of the peace roadmap.
President Trump, en route to the region for what he described as a “very special visit,” told reporters aboard Air Force One that he was confident the ceasefire would hold.
“I think it’s going to hold. I think people are tired of it—it’s been centuries,” Trump said. “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?”
During his visit, the U.S. president is scheduled to meet families of the hostages before addressing the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem.