Jubilant cheers filled Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Sunday as news broke that seven Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attacks had been released and returned to Israel after 738 days in captivity.
The freed hostages — Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, and Eitan Mor — were handed over to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) personnel and are currently undergoing medical evaluations before being reunited with their families in southern Israel.
Their release comes as part of a major prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, under which Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees. The IDF confirmed it is also preparing to receive 13 additional hostages later today, some of whom have already made video calls to relatives.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has led relentless advocacy for the captives’ release, hailed the development as a “historic breakthrough” but urged continued pressure to secure freedom for all remaining hostages.
“After 738 agonising days, they are returning to an entire nation that believed and fought for this day,” the Forum said in a statement. “But our struggle is not over. It will not end until the last hostage is found and returned for proper burial. Only then will the people of Israel be whole.”
In Hostages Square, emotional families and supporters celebrated with songs, tears, and embraces, waving Israeli flags and chanting “Bring them all home.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Israel later today before travelling to Egypt for a high-level peace summit involving 20 world leaders. Speaking en route, Trump declared that the “war is over” in Gaza, though officials noted that future stages of the agreement are still under negotiation.
