The Israeli citizens held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza have begun to be released in a carefully coordinated operation. The release is taking place in three phases. In the first phase, seven individuals were freed and handed over to the Red Cross for transfer. The remaining thirteen Israeli hostages are scheduled to be released later today. As part of the broader peace agreement, Israel will also release 1,966 Palestinian prisoners, who have already been transported to the release site by bus. The operation is being conducted under the framework of the Gaza peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump. The hostages are being transferred to Red Cross authorities stationed in Khan Yunis and Nitzareem. The Red Cross will subsequently hand them over to the Israeli army. However, the transfer of the bodies of 28 deceased hostages may face delays. Relatives of the freed Israelis have already arrived in Tel Aviv in anticipation of the reunions.
"They're coming home": IDF confirms transfer of 7 Israeli hostages to Red Cross
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Hamas released the names of 20 Israeli hostages scheduled for release as part of the ceasefire agreement on Monday. These include: Bar Abraham Kupershine, Eviather David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Elkanah Bobot, Maxim Herkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Angrest, Matan Sangauker, Eitan Horn, Eitan Abraham Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavsky, Ariel Cuneo, and David Cuneo. A hospital unit has been specially set up to facilitate the reunion of hostages with their immediate families after more than 700 days in captivity. Family members have been provided with separate bedrooms across the corridor from the hostages. Staff emphasize that the medical care of the hostages extends beyond their return, including careful attention to diet and the pace of recovery. Nearly all of the 1,700 nurses across the medical complex have volunteered for additional shifts to ensure that the hostages receive continuous support.
The Israeli citizens were taken hostage during a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. They were held for 737 days before being freed. The release has been mediated not only by the United States but also by countries including Egypt and Qatar, reflecting a multilateral diplomatic effort. The process of transferring the hostages began following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the Israel-Hamas war had formally ended. Trump also confirmed that the Gaza ceasefire would remain in effect. During his announcement, he praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the best leader during the conflict. The statement was made shortly before Trump’s departure for Israel. A Gaza peace summit is scheduled to be held in Egypt under the leadership of President Trump. This marks Trump’s first visit to Israel, where he arrived in Tel Aviv and received a grand reception. Following a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump will address the Israeli parliament and meet with the families of the hostages. He will then travel to Egypt for the summit, which is scheduled for noon Indian time, with participation from 20 world leaders.
US President Donald Trump touches down in Israel as first set of hostages received by IDF
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— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 13, 2025
Although India received an invitation from the United States to attend the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be present. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at the event and has already arrived in Egypt to attend the summit. Both Trump and the LCC had extended the invitation to the Indian Prime Minister. The release of the hostages and the upcoming summit represent a significant step toward stabilizing the region and consolidating the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, under the active mediation of international actors.
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