Hamas has released the first seven of 20 surviving Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza, marking a significant step in the ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The development sparked jubilation in Tel Aviv, where crowds gathered in Hostages Square to celebrate the long-awaited news.
The ceasefire, which took effect on Monday, ends two years of devastating war between Israel and Hamas. Under the U.S.-brokered deal, Hamas will release all remaining hostages in exchange for the freedom of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. “According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces,” the Israeli military said in a statement, confirming preparations to receive more hostages later in the day.
In Tel Aviv, families of captives expressed both relief and sorrow. “I’m torn between emotion and sadness for those who won’t be coming back,” said Noga, a relative of one of the hostages. Hamas had captured 251 hostages during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 people dead. All but 47 hostages had been released before this latest exchange.
In Gaza, residents cautiously returned to the ruins of their homes. “Nothing looked the same,” said 38-year-old Fatima Salem, who returned to her destroyed neighborhood in Gaza City. “Despite the exhaustion and fear, I felt like I was coming back to my safe place.”
President Trump, en route to Israel for a peace summit, declared the conflict “over,” expressing optimism that the truce would hold. “I think people are tired of it. It’s been centuries,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. After meetings in Israel, Trump will travel to Egypt to co-host a peace summit with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, aimed at cementing the ceasefire and outlining the next phase of the Gaza peace plan
