Hamas on Monday handed over the last batch of 20 surviving hostages to Israel, marking a major step towards ending two years of devastating war in Gaza. The move came as US President Donald Trump, who helped broker the truce, described it as “a great day.”
The Israeli military confirmed that it had received the final 13 hostages after a first group of seven arrived earlier in the day. The announcement sparked emotional scenes at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv, where thousands gathered to celebrate.
“This is a great day. This is a new beginning,” President Trump said during his address to the Knesset in Jerusalem before heading to Egypt for a regional peace summit aimed at establishing long-term stability in Gaza.
When asked if the war was officially over, Trump replied, “Yes.”
Among the waiting families was Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, who expressed overwhelming relief. “I am so excited. I am full of happiness. It’s hard to imagine how I feel this moment. I didn’t sleep all night,” she said as she travelled to the Reim military camp where the hostages were being reunited with their families.
Israeli authorities said bodies of 28 hostages who died in captivity, along with two others whose fate remains unknown, would also be handed over Monday. In exchange, Israel is set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
According to Al Jazeera, Hamas had earlier released a list of 20 individuals slated for release on October 13, with the process taking place in two phases. The second phase is expected to begin at 10:00 a.m. local time in southern Gaza.
The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, was part of a US-brokered peace plan spearheaded by Trump,one aimed at finally halting years of genocide and bloodshed as well as rebuilding the battered Gaza Strip.
