All Living Israeli Hostages Freed in Historic Deal
After 737 days in captivity, all 20 living Israeli hostages were released from Gaza on Monday morning as part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by President Trump. The men, ages 21 to 48, spent most of their time underground in tunnels with minimal food, water, and medical care. In exchange, Israel is releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees—250 serving life sentences and 1,700 detained in Gaza since October 7, 2023. Hamas is also expected to return the remains of 28 deceased hostages, though only 10 have been handed over so far.
Trump flew Air Force One over jubilant crowds in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, timing the plane's touchdown to coincide with the hostages’ arrival. He then addressed Israel's Parliament, declaring, "The war is over" and calling for a "historic dawn of a new Middle East." Netanyahu heaped praise on Trump as “the greatest friend that the state of Israel has ever had in the White House.”
The release came on a significant day during the Jewish harvest festival, with sunset Monday marking the start of Simchat Torah—the holiday during which the Hamas attack occurred two years ago.
But major questions remain: Will Hamas disarm as demanded? Who will govern and rebuild Gaza? Trump and Netanyahu want someone other than Hamas to run Gaza, but Hamas hasn't agreed to surrender its weapons and instead carried out a public execution of 8 Palestinians following the peace deal who they say “collaborated” with the Israelis.
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