First Israeli hostages are released to the Red Cross by Hamas after 737 days in captivity hell: Live updates
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By BRITTANY CHAIN, US SENIOR REPORTER and OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS REPORTER

Updated:

Hamas has released the first seven Israeli hostages as part of a monumental ceasefire agreement with Israel.

The handover of 48 captives – 20 of whom are believed to be alive – is expected to take place in Gaza today. 

It comes after months of painstaking negotiations involving President Donald Trump finally resulted in a ceasefire agreement last week. 

This morning, Hamas confirmed the names of 20 living hostages who will return home to their families as part of the deal.  

They will be handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross and then to the Israeli military, which will take them to the Reim military base to be reunited with families. 

Follow Daily Mail’s live coverage below. 

Hostages are with the IDF on their return to Israel – military confirms

Hamas has released the first group of Israeli hostages after they spent more than two years in hellish captivity.

Seven captives were handed over to the Red Cross this morning, 737 days after they were taken into Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Families and friends of the hostages broke out into wild cheers as Israeli television channels announced that their loved ones were being released.

Read the full story below:

First seven hostages handed over to Israeli forces – military source

A military source has told Reuters that the first seven Israeli hostages have been handed over by the Red Cross to IDF forces.

Pictures show a Red Cross vehicle driving through Gaza to an Israeli-controlled territory.

A Red Cross vehicle transports hostages, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, following their handover as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Gaza City October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj
Red Cross vehicles transport hostages, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, following their handover as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Gaza City October 13, 2025 in this still image taken from video. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Which hostages have been released?

The Israeli military is yet to confirm the names of the hostages who have been handed over by Hamas. However, they have been widely reported in Israeli media to be:

  • Eitan Mor
  • Gali Berman
  • Ziv Berman
  • Matan Angrest
  • Omri Miran
  • Alon Ohel
  • Guy Gilboa-Dalal

Israeli air force helicopter on stand-by to airlift hostages to hospital

Pictures are coming in showing the huge operation to get the Israeli hostages to safety.

Here, an Israeli military helicopter is on stand-by on the Re’im military base in southern Israeli, waiting to take freed captives to hospital where they will need urgent medical attention.

An Israeli military helicopter waits in preparation to take hostages released by Hamas in Gaza to hospitals in Israel after they arrive in the southern Reim army base on October 13, 2025. Hamas was set to release all surviving Israeli hostages on October 13 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as US President Donald Trump headed to the region for a peace summit having declared the war "over". Trump's lightning visit to Israel and Egypt aims to celebrate his role in brokering last week's ceasefire and hostage release deal -- but comes at a precarious time as Israel and Hamas negotiate what comes next. (Photo by MAYA LEVIN / AFP) (Photo by MAYA LEVIN/AFP via Getty Images)

IN PICTURES: Palestinian militants stand guard as hostages are released

Palestinian militants stand guard on the day that hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, are handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
Palestinian militants stand guard on the day that hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, are handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed

Breaking:Red Cross convoy pictured transporting Israeli hostages out of Hamas-controlled territory

The first images of a Red Cross convoy transporting the first freed hostages through Gaza has been released.

The IDF confirmed earlier this morning that the hostages are on their way to an Israeli-controlled part of Gaza.

There they will be transported to Re’im military base in southern Israel where they will be reunited with their families.

Red Cross vehicles transport hostages, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, following their handover as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Gaza City October 13, 2025 in this still image taken from video. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

WATCH: People across Israel anxiously wait for the release of the hostages

Tears and joy in Hostage Square

Emotional scenes are coming out of Hostage Square in Tel Aviv as thousands of people wait for Israeli hostages to be released.

They are the latest pictures.

People react at "Hostages Square" as they await the return of Israeli hostages, who have been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 13: People react as they watch the hostage release live stream at Hostages Square on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has brought an end to the two years of war that followed the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. A condition of the deal was the immediate return of 48 hostages held in Gaza, around 20 of whom were believed to be alive. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
TEL AVIV - OCTOBER 13: People react as they watch the hostage release live stream at Hostages Square on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has brought an end to the two years of war that followed the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. A condition of the deal was the immediate return of 48 hostages held in Gaza, around 20 of whom were believed to be alive. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Breaking:Israel confirms handover of seven hostages

The Israel Defense Forces has just confirmed the handover of the first seven hostages to the Red Cross.

They are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in Gaza, they have confirmed via X.

‘The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on,’ they said in a post.

This has also been confirmed by Hamas.

Ambulances are on stand-by to take the Israeli hostages for vital medical attention

Israeli soldiers and medics are on stand-by to take the first freed Israeli hostages to hospital.

Once Hamas have handed them over to the Red Cross, they will be transferred to a part of Gaza which is controlled by the Israeli military.

Then they will be transported to Re’im military base in southern Israel where they will be reunited with their families.

They will be taken to hospitals, with the Israeli air force on hand to immediately airlift any hostages who require urgent medical attention.

epa12449779 Israeli soldiers and hospital workers prepare ambulances and equipment to receive hostages released by Hamas at Shiba hospital in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel 13 October, 2025. The first phase of the Gaza peace agreement, reached between Israel and Hamas, includes the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
epa12449778 Israeli soldiers and hospital workers prepare ambulances and equipment to receive hostages released by Hamas at Shiba hospital in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel 13 October, 2025. The first phase of the Gaza peace agreement, reached between Israel and Hamas, includes the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Applause breaks out at news of first release as crowds gather in Hostage Square

Thousands of people are gathered in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv as they nervously await for the hostages to be released after 737 days in captivity.

People cheered and embraced one another as it was announced the first seven Israeli hostages had been handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas.

Others waved flags and signs saying ‘they’re coming home’.

These are the latest scenes.

People react in anticipation of the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza during a gathering at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israelis react as they wait for the release of Israelis still held in Gaza at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv early on October 13, 2025. Hamas was set to release all surviving hostages on on October 13 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as US President Donald Trump headed to the region for a peace summit having declared the war "over". Trump's lightning visit to Israel and Egypt aims to celebrate his role in brokering last week's ceasefire and hostage release deal -- but comes at a precarious time as Israel and Hamas negotiate what comes next. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)
People react in anticipation of the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza during a gathering at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

1,966 Palestinian prisoners have boarded buses at Israeli prisons

Palestinian detainees are also being released today during this historic prisoner exchange. An official involved in the operation has told Reuters that all 1,966 prisoners being released by Israel have now boarded buses.

Hamas hands over first Israeli hostages to the Red Cross

The first seven Israeli hostages are now in the custody of the Red Cross in Gaza, an official involved in the operation has confirmed to Reuters.

Hostage’s father says ‘this is a dream come true’ as he awaits son’s release

The father of Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival, told Israeli news outlet Haaretz that his son ‘was handed over to the Red Cross’.

He continued: ‘In 15 minutes he is expected to be handed over to the IDF, and then he will arrive here’.

Family and friends watch the live broadcast of hostages being released

Family and friends of Israeli hostage Bar Kupershtein celebrate as they await the release of Kuperstein and other hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Holon, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Family and friends of Israeli hostage Bar Kuperstein react as they watch the live broadcast of hostages being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Holon, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Breaking:Hamas hands over the first seven hostages

Israel says Hamas has handed over the first seven hostages to the Red Cross as part of the Gaza ceasefire.

There was no immediate information on their condition.

Noa Argamani’s boyfriend among hostages soon to be released

Noa Argamani was one of the Israelis kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023 atrocities.

She became one of the most high profile faces of the tragedy after a picture emerged of her being captured by Hamas operatives.

Argamani was taken alongside her boyfriend, Avinatan Or.

She was rescued by IDF soldiers on June 8, 2024.

Or’s name was included on the list of hostages who will be freed today.

Israel will award Trump highest civilian honor

Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s office said he will award U.S. President Donald Trump Israel’s highest civilian honor, the ‘Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor,’ for his efforts to bring the hostages home.

He is scheduled to land just after 9am local time.

Hamas releases list of name of 20 hostages who will be freed today

Hamas has released a list of names of the surviving hostages who will soon return home to their families.

  • Bar Kupershtein
  • Evyatar David
  • Yosef-Chaim Ohana
  • Segev Kalfon
  • Avinatan Or
  • Elkana Bohbot
  • Maxim Herkin
  • Nimrod Cohen
  • Matan Zangauker
  • David Cunio
  • Eitan Horn
  • Matan Angrest
  • Eitan Mor
  • Gali Berman
  • Ziv Berman
  • Omri Miran
  • Alon Ohel
  • Guy Gilboa-Dalal
  • Rom Braslabski
  • Ariel Kon

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