In a serious milestone, Hamas begins releasing remaining Israeli hostages : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7936x5291+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcb%2F9e%2F303dbe344a679dca3cef546db4bf%2Fhostagessquare4-getty.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7936x5291+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcb%2F9e%2F303dbe344a679dca3cef546db4bf%2Fhostagessquare4-getty.jpg" class="img" alt="Israelis react as they wait for the release of Israelis still held in Gaza at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv early on Oct. 13, 2025." fetchpriority="high"/> Israelis react as they await the discharge of Israelis nonetheless held in Gaza at Hostages Sq. in Tel Aviv early on Oct. 13, 2025. Menahem Kahana/AFP by way of Getty Photos cover caption

toggle caption

Menahem Kahana/AFP by way of Getty Photos TEL AVIV — Hamas on Monday started releasing the ultimate Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza, a serious milestone within the efforts to finish the devastating two years of conflict within the Palestinian territory.

Hamas initially handed over seven of the 20 dwelling hostages to the Worldwide Committee of the Pink Cross, which in flip offered them to the Israeli army, in keeping with a press release by the army. The remaining 13 hostages had been anticipated to be launched shortly.

The army is flying the hostages by helicopter from southern Israel to hospitals within the Tel Aviv space. All of the hostages are males, largely of their 20s and 30s.

Israeli tv confirmed Einav Zangauker talking to her son, Matan Zangauker, 25, in a video name shortly after his launch. "There is not any conflict, it is over. You might be coming dwelling," she instructed him.

The hostage handover ignited celebrations all through Israel. Tens of hundreds gathered in Hostages Sq., the plaza in Tel Aviv that has been the positioning of vigils all through the conflict. The gang roared in jubilation and waved blue-and-white Israeli flags.

Hamas can also be required handy over 28 our bodies of lifeless hostages, although the Palestinian group says it has not been capable of find all of them. In flip, Israel is getting ready handy over almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as it's required to do beneath the truce introduced final week. These exchanges are anticipated to start later Monday.

The fast-moving developments got here as President Trump landed in Israel. The president pressed arduous for the ceasefire deal and is broadly credited for getting it to the end line. Trump is scheduled to satisfy briefly with relations of the hostages after which tackle Israel's parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem.

Shortly afterward, Trump is about to fly to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, the place the truce was negotiated final week, to participate in a proper signing ceremony.

Earlier and whereas touring to Israel on Air Power One, Trump portrayed the developments as a win for international locations throughout the area. "Everyone is completely happy whether or not it is Jewish or Muslim or the Arab international locations. Each nation is dancing within the streets," he mentioned.

On one other entrance, elevated help is starting to movement into Gaza, the place necessities have been in critically quick provide all through the conflict. Lots of of vehicles with help entered southern Gaza from Egypt on Sunday. The territory is in pressing want of meals, water, medication, gas and tents.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4271x2847+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F42%2F73%2F91d073c24a66b4018f45ff261e9e%2Ftrump-netanyahu-getty.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4271x2847+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F42%2F73%2F91d073c24a66b4018f45ff261e9e%2Ftrump-netanyahu-getty.jpg" class="img" alt="U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials at Ben Gurion International Airport on Oct. 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel." loading="lazy"/> U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officers at Ben Gurion Worldwide Airport on Oct. 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photos cover caption

toggle caption

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photos Check for the ceasefire The trade of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is the primary main check of the ceasefire and was a number one demand by each the Israelis and Palestinians.

If either side full the complete trade as deliberate, it can assist enhance the ambiance for the numerous powerful challenges forward.

Nevertheless, many obstacles stay. Israeli troops nonetheless maintain roughly half of Gaza and there isn't any timetable for his or her full withdrawal.

The ceasefire additionally requires Hamas to surrender its weapons and play no function sooner or later governance of Gaza. Hamas has not publicly agreed to this, and Hamas civilian police have already re-emerged on the streets of the territory. There's at present no different Palestinian group in Gaza that's able to ruling the territory.

The ceasefire requires a gaggle of Palestinian technocrats to run Gaza on an interim foundation, however they haven't been named and it's not clear what sort of authority they might have, if any.