IDF confirms receiving first seven hostages released by Hamas
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) has confirmed receiving the first seven hostages released under the first phase of Trump’s ceasefire deal.
In a statement published to X, the IDF wrote:
Seven returning hostages have now met IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip, and they are on their way to Israeli territory.
Seven returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and Shin Bet forces on their way back home, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment.
Updated at 02.18 EDT
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This picture shows the Red Cross convoy transporting the first seven hostages released by Hamas through Gaza. They are expected to be taken to Re’im military base in southern Israel:
Red Cross vehicles transport hostages as part of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel. Photograph: Dawoud Abu Alkas/ReutersShare
Updated at 02.12 EDT
Seven hostages freed and handed to Red Cross, says IDF
The Israeli military has confirmed that seven hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross and are on their way to meet Israeli forces.
They are expected to be flown to Re’im military base in southern Israel.
A large crowd gathered to support hostage families in Tel Aviv erupted in celebration at the handover.
A social media post from the Israel Defence Forces said it was “prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on”.
The Israeli government said earlier that it expected all 20 living hostages held in Gaza to be freed on Monday and that it was preparing for the release of about 2,000 Palestinian detainees under the ceasefire deal.
Updated at 02.12 EDT
Joy in Hostages Square
Daniel Boffey
Daniel Boffey is in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and has sent this report:
Thousands of people gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv roared their approval as it was announced from a stage that the first seven live hostages had been released into Israeli army hands.
The reports have not been formally confirmed by the Israeli government or the Israeli Defence Force but those released are said by Israeli media to be Matan Engerst, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Alon Ohel, Eitan Tzur, Gali and Zivi Berman, Eitan Mor and Omri Moran. A later update did not include the name Eitan Tzur.
Jude Frajdenrajch, 55, waving an Israeli flag, said: “I have been coming here every Saturday to the square. I just wanted to see them come out.”
People react as they gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli hostages released from Gaza in Tel Aviv. Photograph: Emilio Morenatti/APShare
Updated at 01.59 EDT
A total of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons are expected to be released the West Bank, Jerusalem and aboard on Monday, Reuters has quoted an offical involved in the operation as saying.
The news agency also reports that 1,716 Palestinians from Gaza who have been detained by Israel are expected to be released at Gaza’s Nasser hospital on Monday, Reuters also quoted an official as saying.
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William Christou
Continued from last post:
Israeli authorities had told families of detainees not to hold public celebrations of their loved ones’ release and instructed some not to speak to media.
Confusion still reigned over who exactly and who will be released. At 8am, just hours before the release is meant to take place, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Committee released the official list of those to be released.
Kamal’s name, according to the list, showed that he was meant to be deported to Gaza, not to his home town of Yaabad, as his family expected.
“This can’t be, the soldiers told us he was coming home,” Atartra said.
Other families huddled around a phone to see if there were any updates to their loved ones’ release.
The hostage-detainee swap is the first step in the a US-drafted ceasefire deal that could end the two-year in Gaza.
Family members wait near the Israeli military prison Ofer in the occupied West Bank on Monday ahead of the expected release of Palestinian prisoners. Photograph: Mohamad Torokman/Reuters
US president Donald Trump is due to land in Israel shortly, where he will address the Israeli Knesset.
Israeli authorities shut down roads and reinforced security in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in anticipation of his visit.
Updated at 01.40 EDT
William Christou
A few families and Palestinian Authority security officers have began to gather in Ramallah to wait for the release of their loved ones from Israeli jails.
Palestinian detainees are set to be released after Israeli hostages arrive from Gaza.
About 1,700 detainees will be returned to Gaza, where they were arrested. About 250 prisoners with life sentences will be released either to the West Bank or Gaza, where they will be sent into exile.
Mohammed Atatra and his family had been waiting for the release of his brother, Kamal Atatra, since last night. Kamal had been imprisoned 23-years ago on charges of murder and is due to be released as part of the hostage detainee swap.
Atartra said:
We haven’t seen him for two years, since the war started, we don’t know what condition he will be in. His own son doesn’t know him.
Atartra said the Israeli army had visited their home yesterday to warn them not to celebrate their relatives’ release.
“No singing, no celebrations, no music,” said Um Abed, the 60-year old sister of Kamal. “We are afraid that they will arrest him again.”
Continued next post
Updated at 01.35 EDT
Hamas releases seven hostages to Red Cross, says report
Hamas has released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross, the first to be released as part of the ceasefire deal, according to an Associated Press report.
There was no immediate information on their condition.
Israel media reports are also saying seven have been freed but that has not yet been official confirmed.
Families and friends of hostages broke out into wild cheers as Israeli television channels announced that the hostages were in the hands of the Red Cross.
Israelis react in the plaza known as Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, as they await the release of Israeli hostages. Photograph: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople Hostages Square react in anticipation of the hostages’ being freed. Photograph: Oded Balilty/AP
Tens of thousands of Israelis are watching the transfers at public screenings across the country, with a major event being held in Tel Aviv.
Hamas has said 20 living hostages will be exchanged for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Updated at 01.31 EDT
Here are some other images coming in over the news wires as the hostage release appeared to be under way.
A helicopter flies as people gather in Reim, southern Israel, on Monday. Photograph: Amir Cohen/ReutersMembers of Israeli forces stand next to a helicopter in Reim as hostages were to be released as part of the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Photograph: Amir Cohen/ReutersVehicles move outside the Israeli military prison Ofer in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Photograph: Ammar Awad/ReutersMembers of an Israeli military band stand in formation ahead of a welcoming ceremony for. Donald Trump at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv. Photograph: Ariel Schalit/APA drone view shows a depiction of Donald Trump, far left, near the US consulate in Tel Aviv. Photograph: Ilan Rosenberg/ReutersShare
Updated at 01.26 EDT
This photo has come in of buses with an International Red Cross emblem moving towards eastern Gaza from Khan Younis in the south ahead of the hostage releases.
Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
The Red Cross says it has started a “multi-phase operation” to oversee the hostage and prisoner releases as part of the Gaza ceasefire, AP is reporting.
Updated at 01.07 EDT
Red Cross on way to get first freed hostages – IDF
A Red Cross convoy is on its way to pick up a first batch of Israeli hostages to be freed by Hamas as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Monday.
An army statement said the handover would take place at “a meeting point in the northern Gaza Strip where several hostages will be transferred”, Agence France-Presse reports.
“The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on,” the statement added after Hamas’s armed wing published a list of 20 surviving hostages it intended to release.
Updated at 01.04 EDT
As the start time for the hostages’ release almost begins – with Israeli media reports saying 8am local time, just a minute away – Israeli journalist Amichai Stein posted this on X, saying that “the shirt the daughters of Omri Mira, waiting for his return from Hamas captivity after 2 years, made him. All the 4 names back together.”
The shirt the daughters of Omri Mira, waiting for his return from Hamas captivity after 2 years, made him. All the 4 names back together. pic.twitter.com/bojsXYW5dm
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) October 13, 2025Share
Updated at 01.05 EDT
A photo has arrived of Israeli airport staff preparing the red carpet ahead of Donald Trump’s arrival at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Monday.
The US president is due to address the Israeli parliament and meet with hostage families before heading to a “peace summit” in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where a document “ending the war” in Gaza is reportedly expected to be signed.
Airport staff at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport ahead of Trump touching down on Monday. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty ImagesShareHamas names Palestinian prisoners to be freed
Hamas has published the names of more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners to be released under the ceasefire deal, news agencies are reporting.
Updated at 00.40 EDT