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Ynet

Segev Kalfon in a helicopter on the way to the hospital (Photo: Courtesy of the family)

Milk grape

At the "peace summit" in Sharm el-Sheikh, to which President Trump is now flying from Ben Gurion Airport, leaders from around the world have begun to gather. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas met there with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer - both of whom recognized a Palestinian state last month.

Abbas, Macron, Streamer in Sharm el-Sheikh (Photo: Suzanne Plunkett - Pool/Getty Images)

Ynet

Matan Engrest waves goodbye after arriving at Ichilov Hospital

Itamar Eichner

President Donald Trump, who finished his long speech in the Knesset, is now making his way to Ben Gurion Airport, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will bid him farewell. The visit was prolonged, and in the end, despite the preparations, Trump will not meet with survivors of captivity in a hospital. He will now fly to Egypt, to the international peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh - which Netanyahu chose not to attend, even though he was invited at the last minute.

Trump speaks in the Knesset (Photo: Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS)

Milk grape

Although Hamas has already violated the deal in practice when it did not release all the hostages at the end of the 72-hour period that passed today, and has not yet returned the fallen hostages - according to the families' headquarters, only four fallen will be returned today, not all 28 who still remain in Gaza - in the meantime, Israel is fulfilling its part of the agreement: hundreds of Gazan detainees who were arrested after October 7 have already been released.

CNN reports on celebrations at Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, where hundreds of Gazans arrived who, according to the agreement, were arrested during the war and were not involved in the October 7 massacre. According to the report, the buses carrying the released terrorists were preceded by trucks carrying dozens of masked armed men, some of whom fired into the air. Terrorists were also released to Judea and Samaria - and were also welcomed with celebrations in Ramallah - and according to the Palestinian Authority, another 154 were deported to Egypt.

Released terrorists are welcomed at celebrations in Ramallah (Photo: HAZEM BADER / AFP)

(Photo: HAZEM BADER / AFP)

(Photo: REUTERS/Mohammed Torokman)

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Yosef Chaim Ohana with his family, after more than two years of captivity

Bar Kuperstein with his father

Maxim Harkin unites

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Ynet

Avitan Or took a selfie with his parents after he was released - and was recorded without the mustache he was released with. Avitar David also took a selfie with the family. Watch the moving photos - and the photo of Eitan Horn reunited with his brother Yair, who also survived captivity and was released in the previous deal, and the third brother Amos.

Ditza and Yaron Or together in a selfie with their son Avinan Or

Avinatan Or in a group with the IDF. He has since managed to remove his mustache.

Eviatar David also posed for a photo with his family after the liberation (Tz)

Ethan Horn with his family in a helicopter and the sign: "Until the last hostage!"

Eitan (left) reunited with his brother Yair Horn, who also survived captivity, and Amos

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Ynet

The IDF has released the first footage of Eviatar David after his release from captivity in Gaza - the first footage since the shocking video released by Hamas in August, in which Eviatar appears emaciated and starving and forced to dig his own"grave." In the footage, he still looks thin, but is standing on his feet and talking to the soldiers. Watch the video and the videos that were released of the moments of bonding with the returnees Bar Kuperstein and Eitan Mor.

Eviatar David in a meeting with IDF representatives (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Bar Kuperstein in a meeting with IDF representatives (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Eitan Mor and his family on their way to the hospital (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

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Ynet

(Photo: Evan Vucci - Pool/Getty Images)

Liha Gordon

Upon his release from captivity after 738 days, Elkana Buhbot was reunited with his wife Rivka, who had been waiting for him along with their little son, Ram. She wanted to convey:"For two years we have been waiting for this moment, the moment when our little family will be reunited, the man who is home to me has finally returned home to me and especially to Ram. Our Ram has already celebrated his fifth birthday, and today he will finally truly celebrate the moment of reunion with his father. Ram will finally be able to call his father - and father will answer, hug and play."

The moving union of Elkanah and Rebecca (Photo: Courtesy of the family)

"Thank you to everyone who supported, fought, hugged and helped, thank you to the security forces, the IDF soldiers who risked their lives to bring back the love of my life. Thank you to all the returnees who survived the inferno and continued to fight for my Elkana, and especially thank you to the fan who became family and never gave up for a moment. Thank you to everyone who was by our side and helped, prayed, everyone who took to the streets, everyone who united with us, the beautiful people of Israel who gave me strength, gave us strength and helped us hold on, maintain the faith in the most difficult moments. Elkana is at home, in the country and I can't believe that we are a trio again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Ynet

Maxim Harkin hugging his mother

Liha Gordon

After 738 days, captivity survivor Bar Kuperstein was reunited with his father, who is recovering from an accident and a stroke."We have survived and survived, we have reached this time! Our Bar is home," the family said."We cannot contain the excitement from the moment we heard the good news. Two years of an impossible journey, two years in which we did everything we could so that everyone would know who Bar is, now everyone will also get to know him for real."

"For two years, Tal has been making progress and doing everything possible despite his difficulties. All to be ready to embrace Bar. Throughout the whole journey, we did not give up on faith, we did not lose hope. We knew that our Bar also believed, was brave and strong. In God's name, he survived the inferno. Now is his time and ours to recover. Throughout the whole journey, we felt and knew that we were broken in the hands of the Creator of the world. We thank from the bottom of our hearts the Holy One, blessed be He, and His emissaries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump. Thank you to the beautiful people of Israel who stood by us, prayed, supported and helped in every way, and of course thank you to the brave security forces who created the conditions for this moment."We are embarking on a new and exciting journey, and we pray that together with our personal redemption, we will all receive good news, and that all those who were kidnapped will return home."

Ynet

Liha Gordon

Segev Kalfon

Guy Gilboa's meeting with his family (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Lihi Gordon, Itamar Eichner

Watch Eitan Mor meet his family (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Liha Gordon

Einav's moving encounter with her son Matan

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Ynet

Alon Ohel arrives at the hospital (Photo: REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov)

Guy Gilboa gestures to the audience (Photo: REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov)

Alon grabs the head (Photo: Yariv Katz)

(Photo: Yariv Katz)

Hagar Kochavi

Survivors of captivity Eli Sharabi and Eli-Ha Cohen, who were held captive together with Alon Ohel, excitedly shared their feelings regarding Alon's release.

"Alon Ohel is the real hero," Eli told Ynet."I'm very happy that he returned to his family, a very moving day for me, I'll hug him soon." Eli shared after Alon's return: "I'm the happiest person in the world and thank God that we closed this circle and the last part of the Migonit is back."

Alon Ohel with his family in Ra'im

Yair Kraus

Alon and his family on the way to the hospital

Alon in a helicopter

Liha Gordon

Matan in a helicopter with his parents

Matan Engerst talks with Keith Siegel (Photo: Headquarters of the Families of the Kidnapped)

(Photo: Headquarters of the Families of the Kidnapped)

Ynet

Maxim Harkin

Ynet

Guy Gilboa in a helicopter

Raanan Ben Tzur

Captivity survivors Eitan Mor and twins Gali and Ziv Berman waved to the crowds as they arrived at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Hatikva and Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer.

(Photo: REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov)

Yair Kraus

Lihi Gordon, Yoav Zeiton

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Omri and Lishi reunite after two years (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Omri Miran (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Idan Blumhof

Avinan Or

Avinan Or's father, Yaron, told of the moment he first saw his son after two years:"This is what we saw through the army cameras. Gaunt, thin, and with a huge, disgusting mustache - but alive. And according to his characteristic movements, in good condition, thank God. We are waiting to meet him, it will take some time."

Lihi Gordon, Idan Blumhof

Eitan Mor with his parents in a helicopter

Liha Gordon

Guy Gilboa with his family

Liha Gordon

Alon Ohel with his family

Omri Miran with his wife Lishi and his father Danny

Omri and Lishi

Lihi Gordon, Gal Ganot, Daphne Lisbon

Emily Damari and Romy Gonen celebrate the release of the hostages

Twins Gali and Ziv Berman

Itamar Eichner, Or Hadar

Sheba Hospital is preparing for the possibility that US President Donald Trump will visit the site on the anniversary of the hostages' release. When the president landed at Ben Gurion Airport, he asked for a hospital visit to be arranged for him, but it is still unclear whether this will happen - if it does, the visit will significantly delay the schedules and the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

At the same time, Israel is said to be considering the possibility that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will unexpectedly join President Trump at the summit in Sharm.

Itamar Eichner

American envoy Steve Witkoff spoke candidly about the historic day of the return of the abductees: "I wondered if I would ever get to see this day. It is very gratifying to know that so many families are finally welcoming their loved ones home."

Witkoff added: "Today, 20 families are spared the unbearable pain of not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones again. But even in this moment of relief and joy, my heart aches for those whose loved ones will not return alive. Bringing their bodies home is a duty and an act of honor and honors their memory forever. I cannot help but feel the presence of my son Andrew at this moment. I am deeply grateful for the indomitable spirit of President Trump. This day would not have been possible without him."

Witkoff in Kidnapped Square alongside Kushner and Ivanka (Photo: Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Yoav Zeiton

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Itamar Eichner

Matan Engerst (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Gali and Ziv Berman (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Eitan Mor (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Alon Ohel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Guy Gilboa (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

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Liha Gordon

Eitan Moore with his parents

Liha Gordon

The hug between the twins Gali and Ziv

Guy Gilboa Dalal

Idan Blumhof

Liha Gordon

Liha Gordon

Netael Bandel

Rom's conversation with the family

Rom Breslavsky in conversation

Tami Breslavsky spoke with her son Rom on a video call, and said:"I told him how much I love him, that he is my soul. His two sons were standing next to him. He smiled and was excited. I hope this miracle will happen soon, we have been waiting for so long, we must see him already. When I saw Rom talking to me, I have no words to describe the feeling, it is truly a miracle, waiting to see him alive and well."

Ynet

The helicopter of Gali and Ziv Berman, die-hard Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, will pass over Bloomfield. In anticipation of its arrival, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans placed signs in the middle of the field with their picture and that of Omri Miran, also a fan of the team.

Iris Lipshitz-Kliger, Itamar Eichner

President Trump's plane passes over Israel

Air Force 1 at Ben Gurion Airport (Photo: Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Ynet

Lishi in his first conversation with Omri

The family of Omri Miran, who finally arrived in Israel, wished to convey:"Father Omri is home. After more than 700 long, painful and agonizing days, Omri will finally receive from Roni and Alma a hug that will heal everything."

"We would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts the people of Israel, who stood by us in the darkest hours and in the days when this moment seemed like a distant and impossible wish. This moment, today, is not a personal victory, but a victory of an entire people. We would also like to express our deep gratitude to the security forces and the heroic IDF fighters."We are at the beginning of a complex and challenging, but also exciting, journey of reconstruction. We remain committed to the struggle - until the return of the last abductee, and until the full reconstruction of our beloved country. May Omri's return mark the beginning of this reconstruction and the unification of the people."

Yoav Zeiton

The seven abductees - Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Guy Gilboa Dalal and Alon Ohel - arrived in Israeli territory with IDF forces.

(Photo: Courtesy of the families)

Lihi Gordon, Idan Blumhof

Zvika and Efrat are expecting a son, Eitan.

Efrat Mor, Eitan's mother, said excitedly:"I saw a picture of Eitan, it's so moving. He's vital, he looks great - although he's thin and pale, he looks good. Eitan looks smiling. We all sat together as a family, and it felt like a second birthday. From now on, we'll celebrate his birthday on this date as well."

Zvika, Eitan's father, said:"We saw Eitan in the army's secret service. We have not yet met. In God's name he is safe and sound. Give thanks to God for he is good, for his mercy endures forever."

Liha Gordon

Hagar Kochavi, Lihi Gordon

David and Ariel Cuneo

Nimrod Cohen

Ofir Hausman

(Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

(Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

(Photo: Tal Shahar)

(Photo: Tal Shahar)

(Photo: Tal Shahar)

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Yair Kraus

The celebrations at the Ohel family home (Photo: Yair Sagi)

Alon Ohel's family members spoke via live video call from the Re'im camp with hundreds of their friends and neighbors who are gathering and celebrating together in the settlement in the Misgav council. Idit, Alon's mother, told her friends about the excitement and great anticipation:"We are waiting to see Alon. We will see Alon. And we are very excited. It is really happening. You see. Alon is coming out automatically. You are amazing. This is a community like no other. A big hug to all of you."

Itamar Eichner

Lihi Gordon, Eitan Glickman

Matan Engerst's family and friends celebrate ahead of his return (Photo: Eitan Glickman, Yair Sagi)

Guy Gilboa Dalal (home album)

Ilan Dalal, the father of Guy Gilboa Dalal, told Ynet:"Great happiness. We are very excited, waiting. We know that he has crossed over to the red side. It is no longer in the hands of Hamas. We are excited, happy, waiting for him to arrive. Great happiness that he is not in the hands of Hamas. We just want him to arrive and we will hug him and tell him that his nightmare is finally over and we are not leaving him alive."

At Matan Engerst's family home, friends and family members opened bottles of champagne and started dancing.

The anticipation in the Ohel Lalon family home (Photo: Yariv Katz)

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Itamar Eichner

Seven abductees - Eitan Mor, Guy Gilboa Dalal (whose name is mentioned for the first time on the first list of hostages), Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Engerst, Omri Miran and Alon Ohel - were handed over to the Red Cross.

Red Cross vehicles on their way to the delivery point

Gaza

Roy Rubinstein

Activists for the families of the kidnapped and fellow Israelis have set up a large display on the Tel Aviv beach - which begins in the embassy area and stretches south. The display thanks US President Donald Trump and welcomes the returnees. The field crops team at the Yavne Group wrote:"And the children returned"

(Photo: REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg)

Yavne Group (Photo: Doron Lang)

Ofir Hausman

Thousands gathered at the Kidnapped Square in Tel Aviv this morning to watch the release of the kidnapped. Participants arrived with flags and garlands to celebrate the release.

Kidnapped Square, Tel Aviv (Photo: Tal Shahar)

Kidnapped Square, Tel Aviv (Photo: Tal Shahar)

Kidnapped Square, Tel Aviv (Photo: Tal Shahar)

Yoav Zeiton

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Final briefing for pilots (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Yoav Zeiton

The IDF updated that the Red Cross is on its way to a meeting point in the northern Gaza Strip, where several hostages will be handed over."The IDF is prepared to absorb additional hostages who will be transferred to the Red Cross later," the army added.

The Red Cross vehicle in the Gaza Strip (Photo: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)

Ran Booker

Almost two years after his aunt Ofelia Roitman returned from Hamas captivity, and a long period in which he continued to work to raise awareness for the hostages, Argentine sports broadcaster Hernan Feller celebrated their return on air."I dreamed of this day so much, you can't imagine," he said."We will not forget or forgive those who remained silent and looked away."

The full article

Argentine-Jewish soccer broadcaster Hernan Feller (Photo: Oz Mualem)

Milk grape

Hamas' military wing has published the list of 20 hostages who will be released alive today. The list is no different from the one known in Israel: Bar Kuperstein; Eviatar David; Yosef Haim Ohana; Segev Kalfon; Avinan Or; Elkana Buchbot; Maxim Harkin; Nimrod Cohen; Matan Tsengauker; David Cuneo; Eitan Horn; Matan Engerst; Eitan Mor; Gali Berman; Ziv Berman; Omri Miran; Alon Ohel; Guy Gilboa-Dalal; Rom Breslavsky; Ariel Cuneo.

Lihi Gordon, Eitan Glickman

Anat and Hagai Angrest, the parents of kidnapped soldier Matan Angrest, couldn't sleep at night from excitement."We're on our way to the bad guys, our bodies are on steroids. We both drove and the children will be waiting at the hospital. Out of excitement, they went out at night to decorate his room with a Maccabi Haifa design - a green room awaits him," the parents told Ynet."It's really a feeling that we're going to give birth. Just to see the child come out healthy and unharmed. We don't conclude until we see him - to look into his eyes and see that the situation is okay."

Preparations in Bat Hefer (Photo: Eitan Glickman)

(Photo: Eitan Glickman)

In Bat Hefer, the extended family is celebrating."There will be great joy here. We know Matan - a strong guy," said his family."We are very excited to see him soon. We haven't slept in the last few days."

Hagar Kochavi

Rivka Buhbut, Elkana Buhbut's wife, is already on her way to the Reim camp - to receive her husband."The excitement is immense, it paralyzes me," she told Ynet."I am eagerly waiting to meet my husband - my beloved Elkana - whom I have not given up on since day one. With tears and strength, hope and despair, every morning I got up anew to fight. I thank the entire people of Israel - they are all with us now."

Rivka Buhbot and son Ram on his 5th birthday. Dad returns (Photo: Uriel Even Sapir)

Elkana is also waiting for his son Ram, who was 3 years old when his father was kidnapped to Gaza. Today he is 5 years old, and in one of the videos released by Hamas, Elkana addressed him:"Rami, take care of mom. You are the man in the house now."

Ilana Curiel

Kati Levy, the aunt of the kidnapped Segev Kalfon from Dimona, has not slept for three days."He is our hero - who survived 730 and a few days - it's impossible to count," she told Ynet."We are waiting to see him and we have never lost hope. It took a long time but he is coming - the nightmare is finally over. He will return to so much good news - weddings and births. A lot has happened in these two years and he has to take it all in." The grandmother, Rachel Levy, said:"I will tell him that I love him and I have been waiting for him for a long time. The day has come for him to come to our family and we will return to being one family."

Segev's aunt: "The nightmare is almost over"

Segev Kalfon (Photo: Courtesy of the family)

Family members didn't sleep all night either."All these two years we worried as if it was our child. Segev is like the son I don't have," said family friend Eti Hajj."We are people of faith and the girls did a non-stop prayer service. We said Segev would come back - and it wouldn't happen any other way." Bar Deri, Segev's cousin, said,"I didn't sleep a second. I don't think anyone slept. But it's impossible. The excitement is immense. Segev and I are like brothers because we're the same age. If there's an event - I know I'll see Segev. And that's what was missing the most. I have a child and Segev doesn't know." Yarden, another relative, said:"We didn't stop believing for a moment."

Liha Gordon

(Photo: AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

(Photo: AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

(Photo: AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

(Photo: Headquarters of the Families of the Kidnapped)

Yair Kraus, Lihi Gordon

The family of kidnapped Alon Ohel went to the streets to welcome him. The family posted a photo just before leaving - the last photo without Alon, the gifted pianist who will return from captivity after 738 days.

Alon Ohel's family before leaving for the bad guys

Eitan Glickman

The families of the abductees who are expected to return today have been asked to prepare and begin organizing to leave for the Re'im camp, where the abductees who will be released are expected to arrive. The first round of releases is expected at 10:00 AM, and another round is expected to take place at 10:00 AM. It is currently unclear how many abductees will be released in each round - but the three points that have been determined as of now are Khan Yunis, the central camps, and Gaza City.

Bat Hefer, this morning (Photo: Eitan Glickman)

According to the IDF, it is unclear how many hostages will be returned today. The hostages will be returned gradually in the coming days, and their return is expected to begin from noon onwards, accompanied by a short military ceremony still in the field.

Ynet

US President Donald Trump will arrive in Israel today for his second visit while in office. Trump is expected to land at Ben Gurion Airport around 1:00 PM, continue from there for meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog and families of hostages - and then give a speech in the Knesset. Trump's brief visit to Israel will end around 1:00 PM, and then he will fly to a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh that will discuss the future of Gaza. Israel will not be represented at this summit.

The US President before boarding the plane to Israel (Photo: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein, SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Before departing for Israel, Trump said that"the war in the Gaza Strip is over, the ceasefire will hold. I have received many verbal promises, and I believe them." Trump noted that "Gaza looks like a demolition site," and said that the "Peace Council" that will take care of the reconstruction of the Strip will be established quickly."It will be fine," he added. Before the visit, President Yitzhak Herzog announced that he would award Trump the highest civilian decoration in Israel - the"Presidential Medal."

The full schedule for Trump's visit - and how it will affect you

Ynet

Israel has prepared to receive 20 live hostages, and another 26 dead hostages. Two hostages - Tamir Nimrodi and Bipin Joshi - are defined as those for whom there is a serious fear of death.

These are the 48 kidnapped people - who are being released today after 738 days in hell

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson, courtesy of the families)

First published: 06:09, 13.10.25