Hamas Frees Seven Israeli Hostages in Historic Step of Gaza Peace Plan
In a dramatic move on Monday morning, Hamas released seven Israeli hostages, marking the first step of a high-stakes Gaza peace plan brokered by the Trump administration.
The hostages, most of them civilians, had been held in Gaza for over two years. Their freedom was a central demand from both Israel and the United States in accommodations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
“The hostage release started shortly before President Trump landed in Israel, as part of a Middle East trip aimed at cementing his Gaza peace plan.”
Under the agreement, Hamas was required to free all 20 remaining live hostages by noon local time.
The first group was handed over shortly after 8am. The Red Cross eased their transfer, saying they reached Israeli forces in Gaza safely.
#Hamas has released the first seven Israeli #hostages to the International Red Cross in the #Gaza Strip:
Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor, Guy Gilboa Dalal, and Omri Miran.They are no longer in Hamas captivity in Gaza and they are on their way home… pic.twitter.com/eagQeJXzfT
— SITREP FUBAR (@sitrepfubar) October 13, 2025
The remaining 13 hostages are anticipated to be released around 10 am. Following their release, the hostages will be taken to a military base just outside Gaza, reunited with their families, and also transported to Israeli hospitals for critical medical care.
Many of them are reported to be in poor health after enduring harsh conditions, including minimal food, water, and medical attention, while confined in underground tunnels since the October 7 attacks.
“The Israeli hostages spent most of the past two years in underground tunnels, with very little food and water and almost no medical care for the wounds they suffered during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks.”
As part of the deal, Hamas is also tasked with locating the remains of 28 deceased hostages, which include two Americans, Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.
The group has admitted that the exact locations of the bodies are often unknown, citing the death of militants guarding them or rubble burying the remains.
A transnational task force has been established to share intelligence and conduct hunt operations within Gaza.
In exchange, Israel has agreed to release 250 Palestinian captives serving life sentences, banning roughly two dozen considered high-profile numbers. In addition, 1,700 Palestinians detained by the IDF in Gaza after October 7 will also be freed.
Israel has drawn a line at releasing those directly involved in the October 7 attacks, including prominent numbers like Hamas military leader Ibrahim Hamed and former Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.
This precisely brokered exchange underscores a tense but major step in the Trump administration’s drive for a Gaza peace plan, signaling an implicit shift in relations across the region.
