TEL AVIV — The Israel Defense Force announced on Monday that seven hostages held in Gaza by Hamas have been released into the custody of the Red Cross and are now on their way to Israel.
As part of the initial phase of a peace plan between Israel and Hamas, 48 hostages—20 of whom are believed to be alive—are being transferred.
“After 738 days in captivity, the IAF is ready to meet our hostages and bring them back home,” the Israeli Air Force said.
U.S. President Donald Trump will address members of the Knesset before joining a Middle East peace summit in Egypt later today. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are also expected to attend the summit.
Over 67,000 people have lost their lives in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Gaza. The devastating attack on Israel on October 7 resulted in the loss of over 1,200 lives and the abduction of 250 individuals. After 737 days, the hostages are finally being returned to their families.
“We have started a multi-phase operation to facilitate the release and transfer of hostages and detainees as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas,” the group said in a press release.
Israel’s military said earlier on Monday that the transfer is expected to be split into groups, with another group coming on a later date.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information.
