Hamas releases all 20 Israeli hostages under ceasefire deal

The Guardian reported the information.

The first group of seven hostages was released around 8 a.m. local time and handed over to the Red Cross in northern Gaza. At 09:11 a.m., the Israel Defense Forces reported that seven hostages met with IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip and are being escorted to Israeli territory. Upon arrival, they were immediately taken for medical examinations.

Shortly after, the Israeli government released photos of brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, who were among the seven hostages freed that morning.

Relatives and friends of the hostages burst into applause when Israeli TV channels announced that the hostages were now in Red Cross custody.

Tens of thousands of Israelis are watching the hostage release on screens set up across the country, with the largest crowds gathered in Tel Aviv.

Before the release, Hamas published the names of 20 Israeli hostages:  Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Elkana Bohbot, Maxim Herkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Angrest, Matan Zangauker, Eitan Horn, Eitan Abraham Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavski, Ariel Cunio and David Cunio.

Around 11 a.m., the Israeli outlet Ynet reported that the remaining 13 hostages were released in Khan Yunis. This means Israel has now returned all 20 of its citizens who survived after being captured by Hamas in 2023.

Hamas claims that 20 living hostages will be exchanged for more than 1,900 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

• On October 9, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of a peace deal that would allow for the rapid release of all hostages.
• On October 10, at 12 p.m., the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas came into effect.