Day of Tears and Joy: All Remaining Living Hostages Freed in Historic Gaza Deal
Published Date: 13th Oct, 2025
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL—A nation held its breath and then erupted in cheers as the final 20 living Israeli hostages, held in Gaza for over two years, were released Monday as part of a landmark ceasefire agreement. The emotional return, a central element of a U.S.-brokered peace plan, marks the culmination of a grueling, two-year-long campaign by families and advocates to bring their loved ones home.
In a meticulously coordinated operation, the hostages—all men—were handed over to the International Red Cross before finally crossing into Israeli territory. Footage shared by Israeli broadcasters captured the powerful reunions, showing parents and children collapsing into tearful embraces.
The joy was palpable in Tel Aviv's "Hostages Square," where tens of thousands had gathered since early morning, watching a live broadcast of the handover. A deafening roar of relief swept through the crowd as the news broke that the final group of captives was safely in the hands of the Israeli military.
The release is the first phase of a broader peace deal that has temporarily halted two years of devastating conflict in the Gaza Strip. In exchange for the hostages, Israel is set to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
While the return of the living captives brings immense relief, the day is also one of profound sorrow. Israeli officials confirmed that the remains of 28 slain hostages are still being held in Gaza. The Hostages Families Forum released a statement saying their joy was "mixed with sadness for those murdered and for those who were not returned alive," and they continue to demand the return of the bodies.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrived in Israel to mark the occasion, hailed the release as the "historic dawn of a new Middle East" and is scheduled to address the Knesset and meet with the freed hostages' families.
For the returning hostages, the long ordeal has ended. After initial medical assessments, they are being transferred to hospitals for comprehensive care and long-awaited reunification with their wider families, closing one of the most painful chapters in the region’s history.
Date: 13th Oct, 2025
