Israel Welcomes Final Hostages Freed From Gaza As Trump Takes Victory Lap
After 738 days in captivity, the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages held in Gaza were released by Hamas to massive celebrations across Israel on Monday morning. Several reunited with family members just hours after crossing the border in emotional, overwhelming moments. Their return is marked by the Jewish holiday of Simcha Torah tonight — the same holiday that was being celebrated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas kidnapped the hostages.
Hamas has yet to return the remains of an additional 28 hostages killed in captivity. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Hamas of blatantly violating the ceasefire after it handed over only four of the bodies on Monday. Hamas claims it can’t currently locate the remaining 24 hostage remains.
The exchange comes as President Trump traveled overnight to the Middle East, where talks continue over the next phase of his peace plan.
HOSTAGES RETURNING HOME
Eitan Abraham Mor (25) – Worked as a security guard at the Nova music festival, where dozens of festival-goers were kidnapped and hundreds killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Eitan’s father said he saved dozens of people before being kidnapped.
In the video above, Eitan’s mother recites the Shehecheyanu, a Jewish prayer of gratitude when experiencing something new or special, upon his reunion. It translates to “Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.“
Matan Zangauker (25) — Kidnapped from a kibbutz near the Gaza border with his girlfriend, Ilana Gritzewsky, who was released during a ceasefire deal in November 2023.
Matan’s mother, Einav, has campaigned fiercely for the hostages’ return. During their reunion in the video above, Einav repeats “my life, my life” — a Hebrew expression of love and endearment — and calls him a hero.
Evyatar David (24) & Guy Gilboa-Dalal (24) — Childhood best friends kidnapped from the Nova Festival, they spent most of their more than two years in Hamas captivity together. Both men were shown in Hamas propaganda videos this summer, with Evyatar emaciated and forced to dig his own grave.
Guy’s family is exclaiming, “You’re home. You’re home!” in the reunion video above.
Avinatan Or (31) — Kidnapped from the Nova festival with girlfriend Noa Argamani, who was rescued in June 2024.
New photos show the two reunited for the first time Monday. Their October 7 abduction video became one of the most recognized images of the war.
This now marks the first time in 11 years that no living Israelis are being held in Gaza, after Hamas released a hostage who had been held for more than a decade earlier this year.
THE TRADE
In exchange, Israel is in the process of releasing about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including more than 250 who are serving life sentences for murder and terror charges. Another 1,700 were detained after October 7, 2023. Many of the detainees had been accused of crimes, but were held without charges during the two-year war.
Roughly 100 prisoners were released to the West Bank, with others sent to Gaza, and East Jerusalem. More than 150 of the former prisoners—including a number with murder convictions—will be exiled to other countries.
The list of convicted prisoners — ranging in age from 19 to 64 — included 159 affiliated with the ruling Palestinian Authority party in the West Bank and 63 linked to Hamas.
The next phase of Trump’s 20 point plan — including Gaza’s postwar governance and disarming Hamas — will be challenging. Hamas fighters have reemerged in the streets in recent days, killing locals accused of cooperating with Israel or the U.S. A governing infrastructure to replace Hamas has yet to be formed.
TRUMP IN THE MIDDLE EAST
President Trump arrived in the Middle East Monday, where he delivered a forceful address to Israel’s Knesset, the country’s Parliament, urging Palestinians to abandon violence and rebuild Gaza.
“The story of fierce Israeli resolve and triumph since October 7th should be proof to the entire world that those who seek to destroy this nation are doomed to bitter failure,” he said, as lawmakers and families of freed hostages looked on. He called on Palestinians to “turn forever from the path of terror and violence.”
Over in Egypt, Trump joined leaders from three dozen countries, including Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to sign a document finalizing the U.S.-backed ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.
Roughly 35 foreign leaders attended the Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Trump thanked nearly all of them during televised remarks. He joked that he liked most of them — but not all.
“It took 3,000 years to get to this point,” Trump said. “And it’s going to hold up too.”
Notably absent? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who cited the Simchat Torah holiday on Monday night. Hamas leaders were also not present.
Axios reports that Trump urged Netanyahu to attend — and even helped broker a phone call between Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Local Israeli media reported that Netanyahu backed out over concerns that members of his right-wing coalition would turn on him if he was seen at an event with Palestinian and Arab leaders; Turkey’s president also reportedly threatened to turn his plane around if Netanyahu came.
THE ISRAELI POLITICS OF IT ALL
The hostage release marks a major victory for both Trump and Netanyahu. Trump seemed to buddy up with his Israeli counterpart when he went off-script, urging Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, who’s currently standing trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Trump praised him as one of the best wartime leaders. The Israeli president is a ceremonial role, but includes pardon power.
“Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about this?” Trump said, referring to allegations that Netanyahu accepted lavish gifts, including cigars and champagne, from wealthy businessmen.
Netanyahu faces three separate cases. He is accused of accepting over $200,000 in gifts and granting regulatory favors in exchange for positive media coverage. The trial, which began in 2020, has been repeatedly delayed by the two-year war. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing.
Netanyahu will face elections in the next year. His name was met with loud boos when, over the weekend, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff spoke before hundreds of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square. Meanwhile, mentions of Trump drew cheers.
