Israeli Hostages Freed After 738 Days in Hamas Captivity

Hamas released seven Israeli hostages on Monday, October 13, 2025, marking the first phase of releases under a Trump-brokered ceasefire that officially ended the two-year-long Gaza war. The exchange comes as part of a wider 20-point peace plan designed to demilitarize and rebuild Gaza under international supervision.

Key Facts

• Event: Hamas frees 7 hostages after 738 days in captivity.
• When: Monday, October 13, 2025 – 9:00 GMT.
• Where: Gaza City → Re’im Military Base, Israel.
• Hostages Released:
• Matan Angrest (22)
• Gali & Ziv Berman (28)
• Alon Ohel (24)
• Eitan Abraham Mor (25)
• Omri Miran
• Guy Gilboa-Dalal
• Total Hostages to be Freed: 20 living + 28 bodies in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
• Mediators: US, Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Turkey.
• Ceasefire Plan: Announced Sept 29, signed Oct 9, 2025.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump: “The war is over. You understand that.”
• Benjamin Netanyahu: “Tomorrow, children will return to their border.”
• JD Vance: “These hostages are going to live their lives thanks to what the United States of America did.”

Background

• The hostages were taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the Gaza war.
• Of the 251 people abducted, 20 are alive and being released, 28 confirmed dead.
• Israel has launched “Operation Returning Home” to manage the recovery and reintegration process.

Global & Political Angle

• US Diplomatic Win: Trump personally traveled to Israel for the deal, marking a major foreign policy milestone.
• Regional Stabilization: Ceasefire involves multinational monitoring forces (200 troops) to enforce compliance.
• Reconstruction: 600 aid trucks/day, Gaza rebuilding plans to follow peace summit in Egypt.

Humanitarian Impact

• Hostages received at Israeli hospitals for medical and psychological support.
• Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square saw massive public celebrations.
• Families reunited after more than two years of uncertainty.

Long-Term Implications

• Ceasefire initiates a 3-stage peace plan:

1. Hostage release & prisoner exchange
2. Gaza demilitarization
3. Internationally supervised reconstruction and governance transition.

• Political Payoff: Trump’s success strengthens US diplomatic leverage; Netanyahu gains temporary domestic relief.

FAQ

Q1: How long were the hostages held?

738 days — since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

Q2: How many hostages are still held?

20 living hostages were part of the final deal; 28 deceased bodies are being returned.

Q3: What did Israel give in exchange?

Release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 with life sentences.

Q4: Who brokered the deal?

The US under President Donald Trump, with Qatar, Egypt, UAE, and Turkey as mediators.

Q5: What happens next?

International peace summit in Egypt → Gaza demilitarization and reconstruction.