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.
The exchange is part of a Donald Trump-brokered deal between Israel and Hamas that aims to bring an end to the war.
Another group of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are also expected to be released.
The Red Cross confirmed on Monday that they are beginning the process of Hamas handing over the 20 detainees.
‘The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has started a multi-phase operation to facilitate the release and transfer of hostages and detainees as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas,’ they said in a statement.
The IDF announced Monday morning that the Red Cross is headed to a meeting point in Northern Gaza ‘where several hostages will be transferred into their custody.’
They added that they’re prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on.
Israeli security told the BBC that the release of the first hostages is imminent, with the Israeli Air Force confirming it has two helicopters set to bring the 20 men home.
Hamas confirmed the names of the living hostages who will be returned and the over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners who will be freed.
A Red Cross vehicle moves along a road before the expected release of hostages held in Gaza
Families and friends of Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot react as they wait for the start of the hostage release live stream
The Red Cross confirmed Monday that they are beginning the process of Hamas handing over the 20 detainees
President Donald Trump is arriving in the region along with other leaders to discuss the US-proposed deal and postwar plans.
A surge of humanitarian aid is expected to follow into famine-stricken Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are left homeless.
While major questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners mark a key step toward ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group.
Major Israeli TV stations are airing special overnight broadcasts ahead of the hostages’ release as anticipation grew. People began to gather near a large screen in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv before dawn.
‘It´s very exciting,’ said Meir Kaller, who spent a sleepless night there.
The hostages’ return caps a painful chapter for Israel. Since they were captured in the October 2023 Hamas attack that ignited the war, newscasts have marked their days in captivity and Israelis have worn yellow pins and ribbons in solidarity.
Tens of thousands have joined their families in weekly demonstrations calling for their release.
As the war dragged on, demonstrators accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging his feet for political purposes, even as he accused Hamas of intransigence. Last week, under heavy international pressure and increasing isolation for Israel, the bitter enemies agreed to the ceasefire.
With the hostages´ release, the sense of urgency around the war for many Israelis will be effectively over.
The release comes as Trump is arriving in Tel Aviv Monday to see his peace deal realized and speak to Israeli parliament.
He is scheduled to land in the Israeli city just after 9am local time.
People embrace while waiting for the start of 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
Trump gives a thumbs up while boarding Air Force One, as he departs for Israel, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrives at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, ahead of the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt
Onboard Air Force One, Trump said he was hopeful the hostages may be released earlier than expected, but added: ‘Getting them was amazing actually, because we were involved, and they were in places that you don’t want to know about.’
He addressed reporters just before boarding the plane at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and spoke of the enormity of the deal.
‘There are 500,000 people, yesterday and today, in Israel and also the Muslim and Arab countries are all cheering. Everybody’s cheering at one time – that’s never happened before,’ he said.
‘Usually, if you have one cheering, the other isn’t – the other is the opposite. This is the first time everybody is amazed, and they’re thrilled.
‘It’s an honor to be involved, and we’re going to have an amazing time, and it’s going to be something that’s never, never happened before.’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday night that Monday marked ‘the beginning of a new path’.
He told the relatives of the remaining hostages that their release was a ‘historic event that some people did not believe would happen’.
Netanyahu added: ‘Together we will continue to win, and with the help of God, together we will guarantee the eternity of the country and land of Israel.’
Hamas moved all the living hostages into three different locations in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, ready for release.
Special forces were on standby to intervene if mobs tried to attack them, while the Israel Defence Forces warned it would respond to any provocations or deviations from the plan.
After 738 days in captivity, the hostages are expected to be taken to the Re’im military base in southern Israel where medical teams can assess them before they met their families.
The most unwell are to be taken by helicopter to hospitals near Tel Aviv.
President Trump is due to arrive into Israel on Monday morning to give a historic speech to the Knesset to mark the end of the war.
Sir Keir Starmer will also attend a peace summit in Egypt where he is expected to heap praise on Trump and the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
Trump’s motorcade will travel along the Route 1 Highway to Jerusalem where he was to give a historic address at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
He will also meet families of released hostages before rushing back along the same route to Ben Gurion Airport and departing for a summit in Egypt to discuss the future of Gaza.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that he will bestow the American leader with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour – the country’s highest civilian honour.
Israelis gathering in Hostages Square send a message to President Trump as he arrives in Tel Aviv
People listen to songs played on a piano at Hostages Square on October 12, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel
Sir Keir is among world leaders due to attend as the world hopes the uneasy peace will hold.
He will say: ‘We stand determined to seize this opportunity to deliver a lasting peace and a stable, secure future for the whole region … the UK will support the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan, so that people on both sides can rebuild their lives in safety and security.’
But Sir Keir will have bridges to build after Israel’s deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel rejected Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson’s claim that Britain had played a ‘key role’ in the ceasefire deal.
Ilan Dalal, the father of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, on Sunday night told Israeli media the first thing he will do on seeing his son is ‘hug him, smell him and tell him that the nightmare is over’.
‘I don’t know what kind of son I’m going to get back, and I hope that he won’t be so harmed that he can’t rebuild his life,’ he said.
Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) as he arrives at the White House on September 29, 2025 in Washington
Israel has said only once all the living are accounted for at Re’im will they ‘switch on the engines’ of the vehicles taking the first 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and terrorists to freedom.
Meanwhile, Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine is preparing to identify the remains of 28 hostages and determine their cause of death.
‘We want to understand what happened to bring the families full information, closure and knowledge,’ said Dr Chen Kugel.
During the last ceasefire, Hamas cruelly sent back the wrong body for one hostage.
The group is also pushing for the release of high-profile terrorists including Marwan Barghouti, despite Israel ruling it out.
They reportedly offered to free the hostages early if Mr Netanyahu agreed to give them Barghouti – but they were refused.
IDF chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir on Sunday declared ‘victory’ over Hamas as he praised military pressure and a ‘complementary diplomatic move’ for ending the war.
And defense minister Israel Katz said the IDF has now been instructed to demolish all remaining Hamas tunnels in Gaza.
The terror group has agreed to relinquish all control of the Gaza Strip, a source told the news agency AFP. But yesterday shocking images showed armed gangs engaged in firefights in Gaza City as Hamas reportedly executed rivals in the streets for collaborating with Israel.
Palestinians walk among destroyed buildings in Gaza City on Sunday, October 12, 2025
At least 27 people were killed in clashes between Hamas and armed militia, the BBC reported on Sunday night.
The 20-point peace plan states that Israel should maintain an open-ended military presence inside Gaza along the border.
An international force, comprised largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, would be responsible for security inside the enclave.
The Israeli military will continue to operate defensively from the roughly 50 per cent of Gaza it still controls after pulling back to the agreed-upon lines.
There are no plans to send British troops to be part of the multinational force that will monitor the truce.
