What We Know So Far: Israel–Hamas hostage exchange
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A historic day of releases has seen all 20 living Israeli hostages freed by Hamas, while Israel began releasing more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees under a ceasefire deal brokered by international mediators.
A historic day of releases has seen all 20 living Israeli hostages freed by Hamas, while Israel began releasing more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees under a ceasefire deal brokered by international mediators.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s unfolded so far:
Hostages Freed
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that all living hostages are now back on Israeli soil.
Seven hostages were released from northern Gaza earlier in the day, followed by 13 more later from the south.
The freed hostages include Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman and others.
Three of the returnees, Ohel, Gilboa-Dalal, and Miran, were airlifted by Israeli Air Force helicopters to hospitals for medical evaluation and reunion with relatives.
Images from southern Israel show emotional embraces between released captives and family members.
Palestinian Prisoners Released
Israel is releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners and about 1,700 detainees from Gaza as part of the truce.
The first of 38 buses carrying released detainees crossed into Gaza earlier in the morning, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office.
A short while later, buses carrying Palestinian prisoners arrived in Ramallah, the de facto Palestinian capital of the occupied West Bank.
Crowds gathered to welcome them amid celebrations and chants marking their return.
Reactions and Atmosphere
In Ramallah, hundreds of families waited anxiously to embrace their relatives — many separated for decades.
In Tel Aviv, Israelis gathered in Hostages Square to celebrate the homecoming, calling the day “history in front of our eyes.”
President Donald Trump received a rapturous welcome at the Knesset ahead of a peace summit in Egypt, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now confirmed to attend.
What Happens Next
The ceasefire deal includes further exchanges and humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
The Red Cross continues to oversee transfers of both hostages and prisoners, while medical teams in Gaza and Israel prepare to treat returnees.
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