Israelis react, awaiting the release of Israelis still held in Gaza at Tel Aviv Hostage Square in the early hours of October 13, 2025.
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TEL AVIV – Hamas on Monday released the last 20 living hostages from the Gaza Strip as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. In exchange, Israel was to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners later on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, Hamas initially handed over the first seven of 20 living hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which in turn handed them over to the Israeli military.
The military transports hostages by helicopter from southern Israel to hospitals in the Tel Aviv area. All the hostages are men, mostly between 20 and 30 years old.
Israeli television showed Einav Zangauker talking to her 25-year-old son Matan Zangauker during a video call shortly after his release. “There is no war, it is over. You’re coming home,” she told him.
The hostage handover sparked celebrations across Israel. Tens of thousands of people gathered at Hostage Square, a square in Tel Aviv that has been the site of vigils throughout the war. The crowd cheered and waved blue and white Israeli flags.
Hamas is also required to hand over 28 bodies of dead hostages, although the Palestinian group says it has not been able to find them all. In turn, Israel is preparing to hand over about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, as required under a truce announced last week. Those exchanges are expected to begin later on Monday.
The rapid development occurred after President Trump landed in Israel. The President actively pushed for a ceasefire agreement, and many believe he was the one who brought it to fruition. Trump plans to meet briefly with family members of the hostages and then address Israel's parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem.
Soon after, Trump is set to fly to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where ceasefire talks were held last week, to attend the official signing ceremony.
Earlier, during a trip to Israel on Air Force One, Trump called what was happening a victory for countries throughout the region. “Everyone is happy, whether they are Jews, Muslims or Arab countries. Every country dances in the streets,” he said.
On the other hand, increased aid is beginning to flow into Gaza, which has been critically short of basic necessities throughout the war. Hundreds of aid trucks arrived in southern Gaza from Egypt on Sunday. The territory is in dire need of food, water, medicine, fuel and tents.
US President Donald Trump is greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials at Ben Gurion International Airport on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Ceasefire test
The exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is the first major test of the ceasefire and has been a major demand of both Israelis and Palestinians.
If both sides complete the full exchange as planned, it will help improve the atmosphere for dealing with the many complex issues that lie ahead.
However, many obstacles remain. Israeli troops still hold about half of Gaza and there is no timetable for their complete withdrawal.
The ceasefire also calls on Hamas to give up its weapons and not play any role in the future governance of Gaza. Hamas did not publicly agree to this, and Hamas civilian police have already reappeared on the streets of the territory. There is currently no other Palestinian faction in Gaza capable of governing the territory.
The ceasefire calls for a group of Palestinian technocrats to govern Gaza on a temporary basis, but they are not named and it is unclear what power, if any, they would have.
