The operation, carried out in the early hours of this Monday (13), is part of the ceasefire agreement; In exchange, Israel will release around two thousand Palestinians held in prisons
O released the last 20 Israeli hostages alive, the press reported this Monday (13) which cited a high-ranking official in the country’s government. Israeli authorities had announced before 10:00 am (4:00 am Brasília time) the return of a first group of seven hostages alive. According to Israeli television, the remaining 13 hostages have already been handed over to the Red Cross and will soon be with the Army.
The 20 released this Monday were kidnapped by members of the group in the surprise attack on October 7, 2023 in southern Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza. “We waited 738 days to say this: welcome home,” the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on the social network X, on the fourth day of the ceasefire.
After the release was announced, thousands of people gathered in a Tel Aviv square, renamed Hostage Square, burst into screams, hugs and tears of emotion. “It’s a beautiful day, one we’ve been waiting for two years, despite the sadness for those who don’t return and for the almost 2,000 war dead,” Ronny Edry, a 54-year-old teacher, told AFP.
The release took place just hours before the Gaza Summit, which will take place in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh, with the presence of American President Donald Trump, who is visiting Israel first, and other world leaders. The first phase of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas, which came into force on Friday, includes the exchange of the last Israeli hostages in Gaza – 20 alive and 28 dead – for almost 2,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received this Monday on the runway at Tel Aviv airport the president of the United States, creator of a 20-point plan that made possible the ceasefire and the release of the hostages.
The 20 living hostages released on October 13, 2025: Front row, left to right: Elkana Bohbot, Matan Angrest, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel. Second row, from left to right: Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavski, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman. Third row, from left to right: Eitan Mor, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn. Back row, left to right: Matan Zangauker, Bar Kupershtein, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Omri Miran.
(Under update)
*With information from AFP
