Hamas releases all living hostages as Trump arrives in Isreal

Hamas on Monday handed over 20 Israeli hostages alive to Israel’s defense forces in Gaza, as part of a ceasefire arrangement facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The current truce follows an agreement reached on October 9 between Israel and Hamas, marking the first stage of a broader plan aimed at securing the release of all captives and repositioning Israeli troops to a designated line within Gaza.

The development sparked emotional celebrations in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where crowds had gathered in solidarity with the families of abductees.

According to a statement from the Israeli military, information from the Red Cross confirmed that seven hostages were initially transferred into the organization’s custody and were being escorted to IDF and ISA personnel in Gaza. Military officials added that they were prepared to receive more individuals expected later in the day.

The BBC has since reported that every surviving Israeli hostage has now been freed.

Hamas militants originally abducted 251 people on October 7, 2023, during an unprecedented assault that also claimed the lives of more than 1,200 Israeli civilians. Prior to Monday’s developments, all but 47 hostages had been released in previous truce arrangements, leaving families in agonizing uncertainty.

For Gaza residents, the temporary truce offered a rare moment of respite after two years of continuous strikes.

Fatima Salem, 38, described her return to Sheikh Radwan with mixed emotions:
“My heart was trembling. I kept searching for the landmarks I remembered — nothing was recognizable. Even the houses of my neighbors had vanished. Still, despite the destruction and fear, I felt like I had come back to my safe place.”

As part of the deal brokered by Washington, Israel is expected to free approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees in exchange for the return of all living hostages.

President Trump, who claimed the conflict had concluded, is currently in Israel and Egypt to mark what he described as a “very special” breakthrough in peace efforts across the region.

“I think it’s going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It’s been centuries,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.