Hamas releases all living Israeli hostages

Hamas has released all 20 living Israeli hostages as part of a landmark prisoner exchange deal with Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Monday morning, October 13, that the hostages had safely crossed back into Israel from Gaza, marking the end of a tense and emotional standoff that had gripped the world for weeks.

According to the IDF, the freed hostages were immediately received by Israeli medical teams for initial evaluation before being flown to hospitals across the country for further treatment and reunification with their families.

Among those released are Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, and Omri Miran, three of the first hostages to be freed earlier in the day. IDF helicopters airlifted them to hospitals following preliminary medical checks.

Heartwarming images released by the military showed 48-year-old Omri Miran embracing his wife, Lishay, after months of separation. Miran, who was abducted from his home in Nahal Oz during the October 7, 2023, attack, appeared emotional but in stable condition.

In a separate statement, the Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the names of 13 additional hostages released by Hamas, including Elkana Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, and Bar Kupershtein, who was taken while working at the Nova music festival.

Buses carrying dozens of freed Palestinian prisoners, meanwhile, arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah and in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run Prisoners Office said. Israel is freeing more than 1,900 prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal.