Jerusalem, 13 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) — seven hostages freed in the first wave of releases arrived in southern Israel where they are undergoing initial medical assessments, the Israel Defense Forces said. Following the checkups, the captives will be reunited with their families and then taken to hospitals in Israel.
Eitan Mor, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Engerst, Omri Miran and Alon Ohel were all seen walking on their own. Dalal’s name was not mentioned in an earlier Hamas announcement which said six would be freed in the first wave.
The IDF also confirmed that Red Cross vehicles are on their way to meeting point in southern Gaza to receive more hostages for the second round of releases.
In all, Israel’s 20 living hostages are to return in the coming hours, 738 days after being taken captivity in Gaza by Hamas.
Meanwhile, U.S. president donald Trump arrived in Israel for a brief, hours-long visit. The President was greeted by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before immediately heading to Jerusalem without the usual fanfare and speeches. Trump is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu and address the Knesset before leaving Israel in the early afternoon. Trump will depart for Egypt, which is hosting a summit of regional and international leaders to discuss Gaza’s future.
The remains of the deceased hostages are expected to be released in seveal hours. However, this has been complicated by Hamas’ claim that it cannot account for all the remains. Israeli authorities do not know how many bodies will be returned. The remains of the deceased hostages will be taken to the National Forensic Institute for identification and confirm causes of death. Officials at the center cautioned that the identification process could take hours, or more than one day depending on the complexity of each case.
Then, Israel will release some 250 Palestinian security prisoners. According to arrangment, 250 of the remaining 303 Palestinians serving life sentences in israeli prisons will be released, along with 1,700 detainees captured in Gaza since the war began, including all women and children. For each slain hostage returned by Hamas, Israel will release the remains of 15 Gazans it holds. Israel will ultimately release around 2,000 Palestinians, including some 1,700 from Gaza detained during course of the war.
The initial phase of the agreement calls for a partial Israeli withdrawal, leaving its forces in control of just over half of Gaza.
Israel insists that Hamas be disarmed and have no role in governing post-war Gaza. The Iran-backed teror group violently seized control of the Strip from the Palestinian Authority in 2007. To prevent weapons smuggling, Israel and Egypt and imposed a blockade.
Sundown marks the beginning of the Simchat Torah holiday, which is also the Hebrew anniversary of Hamas’ Octoer 7 attack. Around 1,200 people killed that day and 252 Israelis and foreigners were abducted.
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