#JustIn: Hamas Releases Seven Israeli Hostages Under Ceasefire, Families Rejoice

Hamas has handed over seven long-held Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross, marking the first wave of releases under a hard-won ceasefire that promises to end two grueling years of conflict in Gaza. The group includes siblings Gali and Ziv Berman, soldiers Matan Angrest and Alon Ohel, along with Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dallal—names etched into the hearts of a nation that has endured endless vigils and protests since their abduction during the brutal October 7, 2023, Hamas assault.

As the Red Cross vehicles rolled out from northern Gaza under watchful eyes, tens of thousands of Israelis erupted in joyous cheers at massive public screenings from Tel Aviv's Hostages Square to Jerusalem's streets. Yellow ribbons—symbols of solidarity worn by millions—fluttered in the wind as families clutched faded photos, their two-year ordeal of uncertainty finally cracking open to hope. "It's like the sun breaking through after an eternal storm," one tearful onlooker in Tel Aviv told reporters, her voice drowned out by waves of applause echoing across the city.

The breakthrough comes courtesy of U.S. President Donald Trump's relentless diplomacy, who brokered the deal amid mounting international pressure on Israel and Hamas. Trump, fresh off a White House announcement declaring the "war is over," is en route to the region with a cadre of global leaders for high-stakes talks in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh. There, they'll hash out postwar blueprints, including Gaza's reconstruction and security guarantees, while a flood of humanitarian aid—trucks laden with food, medicine, and fuel—begins pouring into the devastated enclave where famine has claimed countless lives and left over a million homeless.

Also Read: Israel Launches ‘Operation Returning Home’ to Free Remaining Hostages

On the Palestinian side, anticipation builds for the reciprocal release of nearly 2,000 detainees from Israeli prisons, including 250 serving life terms for attacks on Israelis and 1,700 arrested during the war without formal charges. Viewed by Israel as hardened terrorists, these prisoners are hailed by Palestinians as heroes resisting occupation. Families in the West Bank whisper of quiet reunions, though Israeli officials have issued stark warnings against public celebrations, citing fears of renewed unrest. "Exile or return—it's a bittersweet freedom," confided one anonymous Palestinian official, speaking under the shadow of potential reprisals.

For Israel, this handover closes a lacerating chapter. The October 2023 rampage that snatched 251 hostages ignited a war that has scarred generations, with weekly protests swelling to massive demonstrations accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of politicizing the crisis. Netanyahu, facing isolation on the world stage, defended the deal as a "monumental victory" in a fiery address, vowing to dismantle Hamas's tunnel networks post-ceasefire. Yet, shadows linger: Up to 28 hostages' remains may not return immediately, prompting the launch of an international task force led by Coordinator Gal Hirsch to scour Gaza for the missing within 72 hours.

The freed captives, their conditions still shrouded in secrecy, will first rendezvous with the Red Cross before helicopters whisk them to Reim military base for tearful family reunions and medical evaluations. Experts anticipate a long road of psychological healing ahead, with therapists on standby to unpack the trauma of tunnels, isolation, and survival. As one released hostage's brother put it, "Two years stolen, but today we start stealing them back."

Broader questions swirl over Gaza's horizon. Will this fragile truce hold, ushering in disarmament talks and an "international stabilization force" as outlined in Trump's 20-point plan? Or will old enmities resurface, dooming the strip to more cycles of violence? Aid agencies, racing against time, report early successes: The Rafah crossing reopens Tuesday, easing the blockade that starved northern Gaza. Displaced families trek north through rubble-strewn roads, salvaging what remains of homes amid cautious optimism.

In Tel Aviv, where cheers still echo, the mood is electric yet tempered. "We've got our people back, but peace? That's the real hostage we've been fighting for," said a demonstrator, pinning a yellow ribbon to her jacket one last time. As Trump lands and negotiations unfold, the world watches a region on the brink—teetering between enduring hate and the faint dawn of something better.

Also Read: Hamas to Abstain from Gaza Governance, Clearing Way for Technocratic Rule