A long chapter of grief and uncertainty unfolded this weekend as Israel confirmed the release of all remaining living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, following a deal brokered through international mediation and announced by the U.S. President Donald Trump.
The agreement marked the most significant breakthrough since the conflict erupted in October 2023, when the Hamas terrorist group launched a deadly cross border attack into Israel, killing and abducting hundreds. According to Israeli authorities, more that 250 people were initially taken hostage during that assault. As of this week, all surviving hostages have returned home after nearly two years in captivity. The last 20 victims were released Oct. 13.
Across Israel, spontaneous gatherings turned into celebrations. In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, expected to be renamed Returning Square, families of the freed captives embraced soldiers, volunteers and one another.
Scenes of reunions spread rapidly across social media and television. Videos showed freed captives stepping out of Israeli helicopters, waving, smiling and embracing loved ones after 737 days in captivity. Among them was Segev Kalfon, who had been presumed dead until witnesses reported seeing him alive months earlier. The negotiated deal, finalized with the involvement of Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators, secured the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for the freedom of dozens of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the organization helped facilitate transfers, ensuring safe passage for released hostages and humanitarian oversight. Israel has also permitted an expanded flow of aid into Gaza as part of the agreement, coordinated with the United Nations and other agencies.
Officials from both sides confirmed that the cease-fire and hostage-release terms are linked. Full delivery of hostages, including the remains of the deceased, is expected to be followed by an extended humanitarian truce.
“I’m thrilled that this finally happened and wish it had happened a long time ago,” English teacher Mr. Gilden said. “I pray for all of them and their families, and for those who didn’t make it.”
The announcement was met with widespread relief among Israeli citizens, many of whom have spent months rallying for the hostages’ safe return. In a large rally during this past Saturday night, tens of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv to express gratitude for the hostages’ release. Former White House adviser Jared Kushner and businessman Steve Witkoff joined Israeli and American speakers in calling for peace and strength for all families affected by the war.
“I can’t imagine what those families went through,” junior Dana Amirian said. “Seeing them finally reunited gives me hope that things can start to heal.”
While many Israelis expressed joy and relief, the mood was tempered by awareness of the cost. Despite the optimism, officials cautioned that key parts of the deal remain incomplete. Hamas has so far returned only a portion of the bodies of hostages confirmed to have died. Israel continues to demand the return of all remains before lifting certain restrictions on Gaza’s borders.
“It’s emotional to see so much happiness and pain at the same time,” junior Eden Rosenberg said. “It reminds us that peace doesn’t mean forgetting what happened, it means trying to move forward together.”
Human rights organizations have called for ongoing access to Gaza to verify the conditions of detention sites and to deliver urgent aid to civilians affected by months of conflict. The United Nations reports that humanitarian shipments are now entering Gaza at scale, but conditions remain dire.
“Hearing that people are finally home makes it feel real and it shows how much everyone still cares,” freshman Michal Gavriel said.
The hostage releases mark a significant humanitarian achievement, but leave the broader political and security issues unresolved. Talks continue over the long-term governance of Gaza, reconstruction efforts and mechanisms to prevent renewed violence.
For now, Israel finds itself in a rare moment of shared relief. The images of reunited families, tears, embraces and the quiet realization that a long ordeal is ending have become symbols of resilience amid uncertainty.
