After more than two years of waiting, hoping, and grieving, Israel on Monday welcomed home the last of the 20 living hostages who had been held captive in Gaza since the brutal attacks of October 7, 2023.
"For so many families across this land, it has been years since you have known a single day of true peace. But now, at last--not only for Israelis but also for Palestinians and for many others--the long and painful nightmare is finally OVER," he said, addressing the Israeli parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the release of "all hostages by Hamas after over two years of captivity", saying it is a tribute to the courage of families, the peace efforts of US President Donald Trump and the resolve of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The announcement came during a historic session of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, where Trump was welcomed with a prolonged standing ovation and honoured for his leadership in brokering a peace deal that has led to the release of all 20 living hostages and a formal end to the two-ye
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday stated that he wouldn't be travelling to Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh to attend the Gaza Peace Summit with global leaders, citing "time constraints" ahead of the start of the Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah holiday, which begins tonight.
Personnel from the IDF Manpower Directorate and medical teams are accompanying the seven hostages, Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Omri Miran, and Matan Angrest, as they undergo initial medical evaluations at a facility in southern Israel.
Earlier in the day, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that seven hostages had already been transferred to the Red Cross and were on their way to Israeli forces waiting inside Gaza.
In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said, "According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven hostages have been transferred into their custody, and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in Gaza. The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be