Hamas hands over 20 surviving Israeli hostages

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2 days ago13 Oct 10:27pm

That's a wrap

Thanks for being with us. Here's a recap of what unfolded today:

All 20 living hostages released by Hamas returned home on Monday after over two years in captivity, Israel confirmed.
Israel has said it does not expect all of the dead hostages to be returned on Monday. Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas is also due to return the bodies of up to 28 hostages who died or were killed in captivity.
As part of the ceasefire deal, Israel is due to release nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees held in its jails. The first groups have started arriving in the occupied West Bank and Ramallah,
Donald Trump has addressed the Israeli parliament before heading to Egypt for a leaders' summit to discuss peace in Gaza.
In Tel Aviv, a huge crowd gathered to support hostage families erupted in joy, tears and song as news broke of the first hostage releases.
Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend the Gaza summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh because it coincides with a Jewish holiday, his office said.

2 days ago13 Oct 10:44pm

Trump says Gaza deal 'incredible triumph for Israel and the world'

US President Donald Trump told the Israeli parliament on Monday that the ceasefire he helped broker in the Gaza war had ushered in the "historic dawn of a new Middle East".

"And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity," he said.

"This is not only the end of a war... This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East."

President Donald Trump speaks to the Knesset, Israel's parliament

Donald Trump said that a "long nightmare" was finally over for Israelis and Palestinians alike after the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal was agreed between Israel and Hamas. Source: AP / Evan Vucci

Trump called the 20-point agreement that brought about a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages held by Hamas a triumph as he thanked mediators from the Arab and Muslim world.

"Let me also convey my tremendous appreciation for all of the nations of the Arab and Muslim world that came together to press Hamas to set the hostages free and to send them home," Trump said.

Trump's address was briefly interrupted on Monday as a left-wing lawmaker was expelled.

"That was very efficient," Trump quipped as the MP was quickly removed from the chamber.

2 days ago13 Oct 9:55pm

Netanyahu says Trump 'greatest friend' Israel ever had in the White House

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described US President Donald Trump on Monday as the "greatest friend" Israel has ever had in the White House.

"Donald Trump is the greatest friend that the state of Israel has ever had in the White House. No American president has ever done more for Israel," Netanyahu said in parliament ahead of Trump's address to lawmakers.

Netanyahu, in his speech to parliament, also praised Israel's soldiers, saying the country had "achieved amazing victories over Hamas".

Earlier, Netanyahu's office said he would not attend Monday's Gaza summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh because it coincides with a Jewish holiday.

2 days ago13 Oct 8:41pm

All surviving hostages back home, Israel says

Israel said that the last 20 living hostages released by Hamas on Monday had arrived in the country.

"Welcome home," the foreign ministry wrote in a series of posts on X, hailing the return of Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Elkana Bohbot, Rom Braslavski, Nimrod Cohen, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Segev Kalfon, Bar Kuperstein, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Yosef Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel, Avinatan Or and Matan Zangauker.

2 days ago13 Oct 7:15pm

Hamas hands over all 20 living Israeli hostages to Red Cross

Hamas handed over the last remaining 13 Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives in Gaza on Monday, the IDF has announced.

The 20 surviving hostages were released by Hamas in two batches, with the second group transferred in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza strip.

"13 hostages have been transferred into their [the Red Cross] custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in Gaza," the IDF said.

The Israeli embassy in Canberra confirmed that "all living hostages are on their way home".

— Cameron Carr

2 days ago13 Oct 6:57pm

First photos of freed hostage shared online

Images of Alon Ohel, one of the seven hostages released earlier today, have been posted to X.

In the images, Ohel is seen interacting with IDF personnel.

Once released, the hostages will undergo medical and welfare checks with authorities before being reunited with family and friends in Tel Aviv.

— Cameron Carr

2 days ago13 Oct 6:44pm

Red Cross collecting second group of hostages, Israel says

Israel's military says the Red Cross is en route to collect a second group of hostages from a Hamas exchange point in southern Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X that it had received information that the Red Cross was on its way to an "additional meeting point" where "several hostages" would be handed over to the organisation.

— Cameron Carr

2 days ago13 Oct 6:38pm

'A huge relief' among crowds in Israel

Crowds of people in Tel Aviv have expressed disbelief, happiness, and pride as they gathered to await the return of hostages to Israel.

One of those who had gathered, Ben, told SBS News he wants to see one of his friends return, and is hopeful for a change that would "move Israel forward".

A man in sunglasses stands next to a woman speaking into a microphone

People like Ben and Delia have gathered in Tel Aviv awaiting the arrival of hostages to Israel. Source: SBS

Delia, meanwhile, said the day's events had been "very emotional".

"After the last two years, it's just a huge relief," she told SBS News.

"We're very glad that the day has finally come. There is finally an end to some of the suffering."

Margo said she has seen smiles on the faces of people in the crowd — a rare sight in the last two years.

"I'm so proud of the people of Israel, of all of us coming together," she said.

A woman in a black shirt speaks to the media

Margo says the return of the hostages could be a chance to "build a better future". Source: SBS

"I just want to hug everyone. This is such an incredible moment, and it's what we've been fighting for since October 7th."

— Cameron Carr

2 days ago13 Oct 6:32pm

Red carpet rolled out for Trump as he arrives in Israel

A red carpet was rolled out for Donald Trump when his plane landed near Tel Aviv. People in the city's Hostages Square reportedly chanted "Thank you, Trump!" as Air Force One approached.

The US president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was on the tarmac, as was Ivanka Trump, Kushner's wife and the president's daughter. Kushner had travelled to the region days ago along with Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to help finalise the hostage release deal.

A group of workers roll out a red carpet beside a plane, where two agents in black suits wait at the bottom of the stairs.

Donald Trump arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport shortly after the first seven hostages were released back to Israel by Hamas. Source: AAP / Evan Vucci/AP

Trump was pictured shaking hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and told reporters he'd "like to visit Gaza," before being driven off.

He is expected to address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.

President Donald Trump greets Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel's President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal watch, during an arrival ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport. Source: AP / Evan Vucci/AP

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 5:55pm

Donald Trump has touched down in Israel

Air Force One has landed at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, after flying over the city's Hostages Square where thousands of people have gathered to watch a livestream of the hostage release. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, were there to greet the US president.

About an hour earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Donald Trump was landing soon and touted a "new dawn in the Middle East".

Trump will address Israel's parliament before travelling to Egypt for a leaders' summit on ending the Gaza conflict.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 5:46pm

Hostages have arrived back in Israel, military says

The first seven hostages to be released have arrived back in Israel, accompanied by the air force and military, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

"They are currently on their way to the initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will reunite with their families," it said in a post on social media.

They would "undergo an initial medical assessment" when they arrive, the IDF said in an earlier post.

More hostages are expected to be transferred by Hamas to the Red Cross later on, the IDF said.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 5:18pm

Seven hostages have been released. Here's who they are

According to the Israeli foreign ministry, the seven hostages released by Hamas so far are:

Gali Berman
Ziv Berman
Eitan Abraham Mor
Omri Miran
Matan Angrest
Alon Ohel
Guy Gilboa-Dalal

"We've been waiting 738 days to say this: Welcome home Alon, Eitan, Guy, Ziv, Gali, Omri, and Matan!" the ministry said in a social media post.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 4:56pm

Palestinian prisoners and detainees reportedly board buses at Israeli prisons

All 1,966 Palestinian prisoners and detainees poised for release have boarded buses at Israeli prisons, Reuters is reporting, citing an official involved in the operation.

The 250 prisoners, who had been serving lengthy sentences in Israeli prisons, are expected to be released in the West Bank, Jerusalem and abroad, the news agency reported.

The 1,716 Palestinians who were detained by Israel during the war are expected to be released at Gaza's Nasser Hospital, the official said, according to Reuters.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 4:49pm

Hostage's family members tearfully watch on

Images have trickled in from the home of the mother of one of the hostages, Elkana Bohbot. The 36-year-old was one of the producers of the Nova music festival, where hundreds of people were killed in the October 7 attack on Israel two years ago.

Bohbot's loved ones are watching a livestream of the hostage release from the home in Mevaseret Zion, a town near Jerusalem.

An Israeli family watches on emotionally as the beginning of a hostage release process involving their family member takes place. They have Israeli flags and images of their loved one on their T-shirts.

Families and friends of Elkana Bohbot react as they watch the hostage release live stream from the home of Bohbot's mother. Source: Getty / Amir Levy

3 days ago13 Oct 4:24pm

First Israeli hostages released to Red Cross

Seven hostages have been released by Hamas into Red Cross custody, an official said. Their condition is not yet known.

Crowds in Tel Aviv could be seen singing, cheering and waving flags as the news rolled in.

3 days ago13 Oct 4:16pm

Red Cross says 'multi-phase operation' is underway

The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has begun "a multi-phase operation" to oversee the release of hostages and prisoners, the Associated Press reported.

The aid group said it will receive hostages held in Gaza and transfer them to Israeli authorities, while also overseeing the release of Palestinian prisoners to the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

It will also facilitate the transfer of the remains of the deceased hostages in Gaza, it said.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 4:10pm

Military helicopter ready to return hostages to Israel, IDF says

An Israeli Air Force helicopter will bring the hostages back to Israel, according to a post by the Israel Defense Forces on social media.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 4:10pm

Israeli military says Red Cross on its way to hostage release point

The Red Cross is on its way to a meeting point in northern Gaza where several hostages will be transferred into their custody, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a social media post.

"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on," the post said.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 3:55pm

Who is and isn't attending the world leaders' summit in Egypt?

Here are some of the leaders scheduled to attend the Gaza peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh with Donald Trump after the US president visits Israel.

US President Donald Trump
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
French President Emmanuel Macron
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
European Council President António Costa
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Jordan's King Abdullah II
Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Al Abdullah Al Sabah

Representatives for Israel, Hamas and Iran are not expected to be there.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 3:46pm

Nearly 2,000 Palestinians to be released under ceasefire deal

Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving lengthy sentences in Israeli jails under the deal, including many convicted of killing Israelis, in addition to some 1,700 Palestinians detained by the Israeli army in Gaza during the war.

Israeli media reported that the country's government had recently approved final changes to the list of prisoners and detainees to be released.

Hamas had proposed a list of prisoners it wanted to be released. Seven high-profile Palestinian leaders were reportedly on the list, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat. Negotiators had still been trying to finalise whether these prisoners would be released on Sunday night local time, Hamas sources told the Agence France-Presse news agency.

Israel previously rejected releasing Barghouti.

— Josie Harvey

3 days ago13 Oct 3:25pm

Crowds gather in Tel Aviv to await hostage release

The release of hostages is expected to begin from 4pm AEDT via the Netzarim corridor, a military zone that had separated the north and south of the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing Israeli media.

It's currently just after 7am local time, and large crowds have gathered in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square to await the news beneath a big screen.

"My emotions are immense, there are no words to describe them — for me, for us, for all of Israel, which wants the hostages home and waits to see them all return," Einav Zangauker, mother of 25-year-old hostage Matan Zangauker, told the Agence France-Presse news agency.

Israelis gather as hostages held by Hamas set to be released

Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square from the early hours of the morning (local time) to wait for a livestream of the hostage release to begin. Source: EPA / STRINGER/EPA

Trump addresses Israeli parliament after Hamas hands over 20 surviving hostages — as it happened

The last 20 surviving Israeli hostages returned home on Monday after more than two years in captivity in Gaza.

That's a wrap

Trump says Gaza deal 'incredible triumph for Israel and the world'

Netanyahu says Trump 'greatest friend' Israel ever had in the White House

All surviving hostages back home, Israel says

Hamas hands over all 20 living Israeli hostages to Red Cross

First photos of freed hostage shared online

Red Cross collecting second group of hostages, Israel says

'A huge relief' among crowds in Israel

Red carpet rolled out for Trump as he arrives in Israel

Donald Trump has touched down in Israel

Hostages have arrived back in Israel, military says

Seven hostages have been released. Here's who they are

Palestinian prisoners and detainees reportedly board buses at Israeli prisons

Hostage's family members tearfully watch on

First Israeli hostages released to Red Cross

Red Cross says 'multi-phase operation' is underway

Military helicopter ready to return hostages to Israel, IDF says

Israeli military says Red Cross on its way to hostage release point

Who is and isn't attending the world leaders' summit in Egypt?

Nearly 2,000 Palestinians to be released under ceasefire deal

Crowds gather in Tel Aviv to await hostage release

previous

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Trump addresses Israeli parliament after Hamas hands over 20 surviving hostages — as it happened

The last 20 surviving Israeli hostages returned home on Monday after more than two years in captivity in Gaza.

That's a wrap

Trump says Gaza deal 'incredible triumph for Israel and the world'

Netanyahu says Trump 'greatest friend' Israel ever had in the White House

All surviving hostages back home, Israel says

Hamas hands over all 20 living Israeli hostages to Red Cross

First photos of freed hostage shared online

Red Cross collecting second group of hostages, Israel says

'A huge relief' among crowds in Israel

Red carpet rolled out for Trump as he arrives in Israel

Donald Trump has touched down in Israel

Hostages have arrived back in Israel, military says

Seven hostages have been released. Here's who they are

Palestinian prisoners and detainees reportedly board buses at Israeli prisons

Hostage's family members tearfully watch on

First Israeli hostages released to Red Cross

Red Cross says 'multi-phase operation' is underway

Military helicopter ready to return hostages to Israel, IDF says

Israeli military says Red Cross on its way to hostage release point

Who is and isn't attending the world leaders' summit in Egypt?

Nearly 2,000 Palestinians to be released under ceasefire deal

Crowds gather in Tel Aviv to await hostage release

previous

1of2

next

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