Jerusalem, 13 October 2025 — The Israeli military announced on Monday morning that it has received seven hostages alive from Hamas custody in Gaza, marking the first stage of a broader exchange agreement tied to the recently brokered ceasefire.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the hostages were handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) inside Gaza before being transferred into Israeli custody. They were then escorted across the border for immediate medical evaluation and will be reunited with their families following security and health checks.
Details of the Release
- The handover occurred around 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT), according to live updates from Israeli and international media.
- The seven men, aged between 20 and 48, are part of a group of 20 living hostages Hamas agreed to release under the ceasefire deal.
- Their release comes in exchange for the planned freeing of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, including 250 serving life sentences.
Wider Context
The hostages were among the 251 people abducted during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel. Israeli authorities say that of those captives, 20 were believed to be alive, 26 presumed dead, and the fate of two remains uncertain.
The release is part of the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, under which Hamas must release all remaining hostages — alive and deceased — within 72 hours. In return, Israel is expected to complete a phased withdrawal of troops from Gaza and release Palestinian detainees.
Reactions and Next Steps
Crowds gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square erupted in cheers as news of the release was broadcast live. Families of the freed hostages expressed relief but urged the government to ensure the safe return of all captives still held in Gaza.
The IDF said it remains prepared to receive additional hostages later in the day, with a second group expected by mid-morning. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid convoys have begun entering Gaza under international supervision, as displaced Palestinians cautiously return to devastated northern areas.
Summary: The transfer of seven hostages to Israeli custody on Monday morning represents a critical first step in the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. While the release has brought relief to families and supporters, the broader deal — involving prisoner exchanges, troop withdrawals, and humanitarian coordination — will determine whether this fragile truce can hold.
Sources: Times of Israel The Times of Israel; Sky News Sky News; Al Jazeera Aljazeera; CBS News CBS News.