More than 700 days after the conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas, hostages held in Gaza have finally begun to be released. According to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the hostage release process officially started today (13). After the first batch of 7 hostages were handed over to the International Red Cross (Red Cross), the second batch of 13 hostages have been released in southern Gaza, announcing that all 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza have been released.

Footage shows Red Cross vehicles and buses in Khan Younis as preparations continue for exchanging Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) October 13, 2025

 HAMAS releases second batch of hostages; all 20 freed

The Times of Israel reported that although the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or the Red Cross have not yet issued any official statement, according to Hebrew media reports, the last 13 hostages held by Hamas were handed over to the Red Cross on the morning of the 13th local time in Gaza. This move announced that Hamas no longer holds any hostages and all 20 surviving hostages have been released.

However, the bodies of 28 deceased hostages are still in the hands of Hamas, and they plan to hand them over to Israel on the evening of the 13th.

Hamas released the first batch of seven hostages earlier on the 13th, including the Berman brothers Gali Berman and Ziv Berman, Eitan Mor, Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel and Guy Gilboa-Dallal. They have now returned to Israel and are expected to receive initial medical and psychological examinations, meet with their families, and finally go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination.

The second batch of 13 hostages released were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in southern Gaza, and the process is expected to be the same as that of the first batch of hostages.