(NewsNation) — After more than two years in Hamas captivity, the release of dozens of remaining Israeli hostages began in the early hours of Monday morning.
Follow along with NewsNation’s live special coverage of the historic hostage release here.
The war began Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked several parts of Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 people hostage. Since Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Sunday marked 737 days since the hostages were taken, and all 20 living hostages were released Monday. It reportedly appeared unlikely the remains of up to 28 others would be returned at the same time.
Medical experts and advocates have said the release of those remains would be crucial to begin the healing process for many families, and for society at large, but the Associated Press reported one ceasefire document contains stipulations for remains that aren’t returned within 72 hours. On Sunday, Israel said “an international body” would help locate the remains if they were not released.
The release comes after the group accepted a ceasefire deal last week in exchange for the release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. About 1,700 of those prisoners were people who were detained by troops in Gaza during the war and were held without charge since. Also among this group are 250 Palestinians serving prison sentences.
Who are the hostages?
Seven hostages were released by Hamas just after 1 a.m. EDT to the Red Cross, which then worked with Israel to transfer them to Israeli territory.
Here’s what we know about those hostages so far:
Matan Angrest
According to Israel, 22-year-old Matan Angrest, a soldier with the Israeli Defense Forces who served on a combat unit, was taken by Hamas militants from his tank near the Israeli kibbutz of Nahal Oz.
Matan has three siblings and is „known for his kind spirit, determination and love of sports,“ Israel wrote on X in its post welcoming his release. „He once played for Hapoel Haifa’s youth soccer team and is a Maccabi Haifa fan.“
After his release, Angrest’s family released the following statement:
We can breathe again. Our Matan is home!
Our beloved boy has been returned to us after two complex years, and we are so proud of him. We admire his strength, we cannot stop hugging him, and we are already planning with him his return to the green bleachers.
This moment fills our hearts with deep gratitude, with humility, and with infinite love to be part of the people of Israel who carried us on their shoulders throughout this entire long, painful, and impossible period.
Matan went out to fight for the people of Israel, and for two years an entire nation went out to fight for him. The people of Israel proved they do not leave fighters behind.
We salute with awe and respect the IDF soldiers, the heroes in uniform, the heads and members of the security forces who left everything and risked their lives. You brought this moment!
A huge, historic, eternal thank you to the President of the United States and his team who worked with dedication and persistence for the rescue and return of our loved ones.
The joy in our family is mixed with sadness for those murdered and for those who were not returned alive. They will be in our hearts forever, and we will not rest until the last hostage is returned to us.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal
Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24, was attending the Nova music festival when Hamas militants attacked, killing hundreds and taking several hostages, including Gilboa-Dalal and his lifelong friend Evyatar David.
While in captivity, he was reportedly subject to „severe conditions“ including „extreme dehydration,“ which left him temporarily unable to speak, Israel wrote. He also lost hearing in one ear.
Israeli officials said Gilboa-Dalal was passionate about Japanese culture and anime and had been studying Japanese and planning a trip to the country.
After his release, Gilboa-Dalal’s family issued the following statement:
The Gilboa-Dalal families are overjoyed to welcome Guy back to us.
This is a moment we have waited and longed for with anxiety, faith, and hope. Our Guy is with us.
We are grateful first and foremost to the heroic IDF soldiers, to the wounded, and to the bereaved families who will forever remain in our hearts.
We thank President Trump, the Prime Minister of Israel, and the entire people of Israel who accompanied us from the first agonizing and painful day until this long-awaited, joyful moment.
We hope that every family will reach this longed-for moment and receive their loved one home, including all the deceased for burial in the land of Israel.
Alon Ohel
Israel said Alon Ohel, 24, was kidnapped by Hamas militants from a bomb shelter near the Nova music festival after a deadly attack killed hundreds.
„Alon suffered serious injuries, including the loss of vision in one eye,“ Israel wrote. „His second eye is also at risk. Released hostages confirmed Alon was held under brutal conditions, chained in tunnels and deprived of decent medical treatment.
Ohel is a pianist who planned to study jazz in Tel Aviv before he was taken hostage on Oct. 7.
Omri Miran
The 48-year-old father of two was kidnapped by Hamas militants who attacked Nahal Oz, where Omri Miran lived with his wife, Lishay, and two daughters.
Videos released by Hamas showed him in „dire conditions, pleading to return home,“ Israel wrote. „He is known as a family man who fought to stay alive for his daughters.“
After his release, his family released the following statement:
Dad Omri is home. After more than 700 long, painful, and agonizing days, Omri will finally receive from Roni and Alma a healing embrace. We want to thank the people of Israel from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us in the darkest hours and on days when this moment seemed like a distant and impossible wish. This moment, today, is not a personal victory but a victory of an entire people.
We also want to express our deep gratitude to the security forces and the heroic IDF soldiers. We are at the beginning of a complex and challenging, yet moving, journey of recovery. We remain committed to the struggle—until the last hostage returns, and until the complete recovery of our beloved country. May Omri’s return mark the beginning of this recovery and the unity of our people.
Ziv and Gali Berman
Ziv Berman, 28, and his twin brother, Gali, were both kidnapped by Hamas militants from kibbutz Kfar Aza.
The brothers worked together as sound and light technicians and often collaborated on music and other projects, Israel wrote. „Ziv and Gali also work on Israel’s iconic annual ‘Festigal’ where everyone is waiting for him.“
The two were reportedly held apart during their captivity.
Ziv was described by loved ones as someone who enjoys shopping, collecting perfume and balancing work and play. Gali was described as „warm-hearted and outgoing.“
The brothers will be reunited with their two older brothers and parents.
Eitan Abraham Mor
Eitan Abraham Mor, 25, was kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival, where he worked.
Mor lived in Jerusalem and is the oldest of Efrat and Tzvika Mor’s eight children. Before his kidnapping, he worked as a barista in Jerusalem and had a deep connection with his dog.
Israel said Mor saved others during the attack, reportedly helping to evacuate people under dangerous conditions.
After his release, Mor’s family released the following statement:
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it“.
In praise and thanksgiving to God, we are happy to announce that our Eitan is home!
Our beloved Eitan, how we waited for you, how we waited to see you finally after two years. We saw you for the last time today, on Hoshana Rabbah, two years ago, and we embrace you today back into the family.
Our Eitan returned to us thanks to the commanders and fighters of the IDF and the other security forces, our heroes who went out to destroy the enemy with complete dedication.
We want to thank them and embrace with a strong hug the bereaved families, the widows, the orphans, and the wounded. Only thanks to your sacrifice are we embracing Eitan today.
We want to thank Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu and his dear wife Sara for leading the country through its most difficult period with wisdom, courage, and determination against our enemies. Mr. Prime Minister, we expect and encourage you to achieve all the goals of the war, foremost among them the destruction of Hamas. We also thank Minister Dermer for all his efforts and dedication to freeing the hostages and strengthening Israel’s security.
We wish to thank President Mr. Donald Trump for his great assistance to the State of Israel in general and for the actions and pressure for the release of our Eitan along with the other hostages.
People of Israel, our amazing nation, a great thank you for your willingness to bear the burden of the war for the destruction of the enemy and the return of the hostages, and for the warm embrace we received from you over the past two years.
The people of Israel live!
This story will be updated as more hostages are released.
Who are the hostages released by Hamas? IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2025 2025-10-13 08:38:36
