The day Israel has dreamt of for more than two years finally arrived today as the last of the hostages returned from Gaza.
In emotional scenes, captives who had spent 738 days held by Hamas were reunited with parents, families, friends and loved ones.
Tears of unimaginable joy were shed as former hostages ran straight into the arms of loved ones, who have spent every day since October 7, 2023 fighting for their release from grueling captivity in the enclave’s underground tunnel network.
All 20 living hostages have been released following the Donald Trump-brokered deal between Israel and Hamas, that aims to bring an end to the devastating war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of people and unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe.
Omri Miran, 48, was photographed reuniting with his wife Lishay Miran-Lavi, where he spoke to his daughters Roni, 4, and Alma, 2, on a tablet while at the Re’im base.
He was abducted from his home in Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, when Alma was only six months old. Since then, she has learned how to say ‘Abba‘ (‘Daddy’ in Hebrew).
Omri was part of the first group of Israeli hostages to be released this morning, alongside Matan Angrest, 22; twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 28; Alon Ohel, 24; Eitan Mor, 25; and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24.
They were followed by a second group of 13 living hostages, including Matan Zangauker, 25; Nimrod Cohen, 21; Ariel Cunio, 28; David Cunio, 35; Evyatar David, 24; Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Elkana Bohbot, 36; Avinatan Or, 32; Bar Kupershtein, 23; Segev Kalfon, 27; Rom Braslabski, 21; Eitan Horn, 38; and Maxim Herkin, 37.
Addressing the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in a historic speech, U.S. President Donald Trump said: ‘After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent and the sirens are still.’
………While Hamas has been instructed to hand over 28 deceased bodies as part of the peace deal, it is expected to only hand over four this afternoon.
It comes as the terror group has previously admitted they do not know where the remains of all the dead hostages are.
It is believed that some of the remains have been lost and buried under the rubble in Gaza.
A joint multinational task force led by Israel, the U.S., Turkey, Qatar and Egypt is being established to locate any bodies that are not returned.
After the bloody attack by Hamas on 07 Oct 2024, Israel showed them no mercy.
As the deadline approached, he gave Hamas a warning: agree to this deal or face ‘massive bloodshed’.
Hamas caved.
After the atrocities committed by Hamas. I would still love to see Israel flatten Gaza and every muzzie in it.
If Hamas breaks the deal, Israel should do just that.
Related articles:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15185261/israel-hostages-released-monday.html
https://twitchy.com/samj/2025/10/13/hamas-releases-all-20-live-hostages-trump-speech-n2420279
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/10/netanyahu-trump-knesset-when-others-were-weak-you/