All surviving Gaza hostages back home — Israel

 

As of October 13, 2025, all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been released and returned to Israel. The release was part of a broader ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the US and other nations. In exchange for the hostages, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detaineesDetails of the exchange

The 20 hostages were transferred from Gaza to the Red Cross, then to the Israeli military, before being transported to hospitals to reunite with their families and receive medical care.

The remains of 28 other hostages were also expected to be returned under the deal. However, on the day of the release, Hamas only handed over four bodies. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed dismay at this, calling it a "blatant breach of the agreement".

In exchange for the hostages, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This included 250 convicted prisoners and about 1,700 detainees captured in Gaza since the conflict began.

The hostages were abducted during the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left approximately 1,200 people dead.

The abductions and killings led to a two-year war in Gaza.

Footage and accounts from the day showed emotional reunions between the freed hostages and their families at hospitals in Israel. Many of the hostages had been held captive for 738 days, since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.

The deal for the hostage and prisoner exchange was brokered by the US and other international mediators.

The release was a key element of the ceasefire agreement, which also involved a peace summit in Egypt attended by US President Donald Trump and other world leaders.