Gaza Strip/Tel Aviv, October 13 (Udaipur Kiran): In line with the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the militant group Hamas has handed over seven Israeli hostages to the Red Cross earlier today. The group is expected to release 13 more hostages in the coming hours.
According to reports, those released include Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Eitan Abraham Mor, Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, and Gilboa-Dalal. Emotional scenes unfolded as crowds gathered outside the homes of the released hostages, with families breaking into tears and awaiting their return. The Red Cross has confirmed the handover and said that its officials are now transporting the released hostages to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
As per CNN and The Times of Israel, a live broadcast from Gaza is being shown on large screens at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, arranged by the government. Hundreds of people gathered to witness the emotional moment, waving flags and posters bearing the hostages’ photos. Meanwhile, several families have reached Re’im Military Air Base, where the hostages are expected to arrive shortly.
Celebrations continued overnight at Hostage Square, organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. The remaining hostages are expected to be freed from Khan Younis and other regions around 10 a.m. local time. Earlier, Israel had indicated that the second phase of the release would take place around 9 a.m., coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump’s expected arrival in Israel. The reason for the reported one-hour delay remains unclear.
Tel Aviv has been decorated to welcome the freed hostages. Roads near hospitals — including Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Center, and Beilinson Medical Center in Petah Tikva — have been lined with banners and artworks. Some read, “Finally Home!” and “We’ve been waiting for you so long.”
Following the release of Israeli hostages, Israel is set to free several Palestinian prisoners. The list includes Ahmad Mohammad Jamil Shahada, a Gaza resident convicted in 1989 of rape and murder of a teenager. Although his crime was not classified as terrorism by the court, he qualifies for release under the current ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. Under this agreement, about 250 Palestinians will be released in exchange for 48 Israeli citizens.
The Israeli government held a late-night telephone vote to approve final changes in the list of Palestinian prisoners to be freed. Two names were removed — one inmate had already been released earlier, and the other was affiliated with Fatah instead of Hamas.
According to CNN, since the ceasefire took effect on Friday, at least 295 bodies have been recovered from the rubble in the Gaza Strip. Nearly two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas have left the territory devastated. The United Nations estimates that more than 4,30,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli airstrikes, generating over 61 million tonnes of debris. Gaza’s Civil Defense spokesperson said around 10,000 Palestinians are still believed to be buried under the ruins.
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