Hamas Releases Final Hostages as Ceasefire Ends Two-Year Gaza War

On Monday, Hamas announced the release of the final 20 living hostages held in Gaza, marking the conclusion of a long-anticipated exchange. This development comes as a ceasefire has brought an end to two years of conflict that ravaged the territory, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction across Gaza.

Officials in Israel announced that the released hostages, all of whom are men, were transferred to the Red Cross before their return to Israel for medical assessments and family reunions. “The war is over,” U.S. President Donald Trump announced to reporters upon his arrival in Israel, where he aimed to promote the U.S.-brokered deal and engage with regional leaders about postwar strategies.

Palestinians were anticipating the release of more than 1,900 individuals currently imprisoned in Israel. This group includes 250 who are serving life sentences for assaults on Israelis, as well as approximately 1,700 who have been detained during the conflict without any formal charges. The initial buses departed from Ofer Prison in the early afternoon, heading towards the West Bank and Gaza.

The recently established ceasefire, achieved through significant global influence, is anticipated to facilitate a substantial influx of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, where widespread famine has emerged amidst the devastation. “Much of Gaza is a wasteland,” stated U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, depicting entire neighborhoods turned to rubble.

A conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, as militants affiliated with Hamas executed an unexpected assault on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is recognized by the U.N. and independent analysts as the most reliable source for casualty figures, Israel’s counteroffensive has resulted in the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians.

Israel witnessed poignant moments as the liberated hostages returned home. In Tel Aviv, a large crowd gathered to witness live broadcasts of emotional reunions in public squares, erupting in applause as images of the captives appeared on massive screens. Gali and Ziv Berman, two 28-year-old twins, were among those present, captured in a heartfelt embrace after two long years of separation.

“This closes a painful chapter,” stated Gal Hirsch, who oversees hostages and missing persons in Israel, highlighting that an international task force will work to recover the remains of 28 deceased hostages still in Gaza.

After months of weekly demonstrations, Israelis have been vocal in their demands for the government to ensure the release of the hostages. Critics accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of delaying negotiations for his own political gain, but he blamed Hamas for the delays.

Trump, having facilitated the ceasefire agreement with Egypt and Qatar, is set to meet on Tuesday in Sharm el-Sheik with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, Netanyahu, and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas. The summit seeks to define the future governance of Gaza through a suggested international administration that would include Arab-led security forces and Palestinian technocrats.

Even with the agreement in place, significant disagreements persist—notably Israel's request for Hamas to disarm and Hamas's demand for a complete Israeli withdrawal. The framework supported by the U.S. outlines potential measures for establishing a Palestinian state, a concept that Netanyahu has consistently dismissed over the years.