All 20 remaining living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were released [1] Monday, walking to Red Cross trucks under their own power following a historic cease-fire deal brokered by President Donald Trump.
The first seven hostages returned to Israel around 2:30 a.m. ET after being transported out of Gaza by Red Cross trucks.
The remaining 13 were freed hours later as part of the same exchange. Emotional scenes followed as the freed hostages spoke to family members for the first time after 738 days in captivity.
Among those reunited were twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, who were kept apart for two years before embracing again.
Parents spoke with their sons for the first time in video calls, with in-person reunions expected later Monday.
“חיים של אמא, אני שרופה עליך”: משפחתו של רום ברסלבסקי בשיחת וידיאו ראשונה איתו@NOFARMOS [2] pic.twitter.com/PH6Bczpfbp [3]
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) October 13, 2025 [4]
Israeli authorities said 28 bodies of other hostages remain in Gaza and are expected to be returned in the coming days.
The release concludes a two-year ordeal that began with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack on southern Israel, when more than 250 people were taken hostage.
Survivors from previous exchanges and rescues by the Israel Defense Forces have described extreme abuse during captivity, including torture, starvation, and sexual assault.
One hostage, Evyatar David, was forced to dig his own grave for a Hamas propaganda video released in August 2024, showing him visibly emaciated.
The following month, Hamas executed six hostages at point-blank range after Israeli troops approached their location.
The conflict devastated Gaza, with large portions of the enclave destroyed by Israeli airstrikes.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported more than 67,000 deaths, though its figures do not distinguish between civilians and militants.
The release of the final hostages marks a key turning point in the conflict and a central step in President Trump’s 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war.
Following Israel’s acceptance of the cease-fire deal, its forces withdrew from most of Gaza and halted attacks on Hamas targets.
Under the agreement, Hamas is required to hand over the bodies of all deceased hostages it can locate, while an international coalition will work to recover the remains of those still missing.
Officials said it remains unclear how many hostages’ bodies were lost amid the destruction of Hamas’ tunnel network during the war.
The list of surviving hostages confirmed by both Israeli and Hamas officials includes:
Matan Angrest, 22; Ziv Berman, 28; Gali Berman, 28; Elkana Bohboot, 36; Rom Braslavski, 21; Nimrod Cohen, 20; Ariel Cunio, 28; David Cunio, 35; Evyatar David, 24; Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24; Maxim Herkin, 37; Eitan Horn, 38; Segev Kalfon, 27; Bar Kupershtein, 23; Omri Miran, 48; Eitan Abraham Mor, 25; Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Alon Ohel, 24; Avinatan Or, 32; and Matan Zangauker, 25.
CNN: For the first time in over two years, Hamas holds no living hostages in its captivity. pic.twitter.com/oMjHWCC6EL [5]
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 13, 2025 [6]
The 26 confirmed dead include: Inbar Hayman, 27; Tamir Adar, 38; Mohammad Alatrash, 39; Sahar Baruch, 24; Uriel Baruch, 35; Amiram Cooper, 85; Itay Chen, 19, an Israeli-American; Oz Daniel, 19; Ronen Engel, 54; Ran Gvili, 24; Manny Godard, 73; Tal Haimi, 41; Asaf Hamami, 40; Guy Illouz, 26; Eitan Levi, 53; Eliyahu Margalit, 75; Joshua Mollel, 21; Omer Neutra, 21, of New York; Sonthaya Oakkharasri; Dror Or, 48; Daniel Perez, 22; Sudthisak Rinthalak; Lior Rudaeff, 61; Yossi Sharabi, 53; Arye Zalmanovich, 85; and Hadar Goldin, 25.
Two others — Bipin Joshi, 24, and Tamir Nimrodi, 20 — had unknown conditions before the exchange.
Following standard procedure, the Red Cross transferred the freed hostages to the Israeli military, which will take them to medical facilities for evaluation and treatment.
Once all hostages are safely across the border, the Israel Defense Forces are set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including about 250 serving life sentences.
The exchange represents a central milestone in President Trump’s cease-fire deal, paving the way for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
It also precedes Trump’s scheduled arrival in Israel to formally mark the end of the Gaza war and welcome the freed captives home — including Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, both American citizens.
President Trump made a promise on the campaign trail: “We will never abandon them — and with God’s help, they will come safely home.”
Promises made, promises kept. https://t.co/i1D7wxKzc1 [7] pic.twitter.com/lKdMpuGjeO [8]
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 13, 2025 [9]