All 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel were released on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, as part of an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The moment of peace pauses a two-year-long war that has significantly damaged the Gaza Strip and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Crowds greeted the freed prisoners in the West Bank, Gaza, while friends and families celebrated in Tel Aviv, Israel at the news of the hostages being released. In a statement to parliament, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is ‘committed to this peace.’
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People wave flags as a helicopter carrying Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker makes its approach for landing at the Ichilov Hospital, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
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Maxim Herkin, an Israeli hostage released from the Gaza Strip, walks off a helicopter at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
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Freed Palestinian prisoners arrive in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails under a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker holds a flag next to former hostage and girlfriend Ilana Gritsevsky, center, and his mother Einav Zangauker, left, at the Ichilov Hospital, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
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Palestinian prisoners are greeted after being released from Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
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Ariel Cunio, an Israeli hostage released from the Gaza Strip, walks off a helicopter at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
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A Palestinian prisoner makes the victory sign after being released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, upon his arrival in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners arriving on buses in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails under a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
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Rom Breslavski, an Israeli hostage released from the Gaza Strip, walks off a helicopter at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Majdi Mohammed/AP
A crowd greets a Palestinian prisoner who was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, upon his arrival in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
Hamas gunmen escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails under a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails under a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
