People look at photos of hostages that are scheduled to be returned by Hamas from Gaza in the next 72 hours during the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, on Friday, October 10, 2025, in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. On Monday, seven hostages were released by Hamas and transferred to the Israeli military. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI | License Photo
Seven Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Monday morning have been received by Israeli military forces in Gaza, the Israeli military confirmed as it prepares to receive additional hostages in a ceasefire deal that many hope will lead to the end of the two-year-old war.
“Seven returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and ISA forces on their return to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment,” the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency confirmed in a joint statement.
“The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on.”
The statement was published to the IDF’s Telegram account about 20 minutes after the agencies confirmed Hamas had transferred the seven hostages to the Red Cross.
Israel is expecting to receive 20 hostages, the last believed to be alive, of the 48 hostages in Hamas’ possession. In exchange, Israel is to release 1,700 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The exchange is the first step in U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war, which the American leader unveiled late last month and which Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on the first phase of via Egypt mediation last week.
“Today, we want to see all the hostages, we are succeeding in realizing a key part of the defined war objectives,” Chief of General Staff Eya Zamir, said in a statement.
“The IDF will not cease for a moment from carrying out this sacred mission until the return of the last hostage.”
This is a developing story.
