Hamas releases seven Israeli hostages after 738 days as Trump arrives to oversee Gaza peace deal

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: Hamas has released seven Israeli hostages after they spent more than two years in hellish captivity. They were handed over to the Red Cross on Monday, October 13, 737 days after they were taken into Gaza on October 7, 2023.

The exchange of the hostages is part of a President Donald Trump-brokered deal between Israel and Hamas that aims to bring an end to the war. Thousands of Israelis watched the transfers at public screenings across the country, with a major event being held in Tel Aviv.

Hamas agreed to release remaining living hostages in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners

Hamas has said it will release the remaining living hostages in return for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Earlier on Monday, the Red Cross confirmed that they were beginning the process of Hamas handing over the 20 detainees. 

They said in a statement, "The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has 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."

Meanwhile, the IDF announced that the Red Cross is headed to a meeting point in Northern Gaza, "where several hostages will be transferred into their custody." They added that they're ready to take in additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on.

Israeli security informed the BBC that the release of the first hostages is imminent, as the Israeli Air Force confirmed it has two helicopters set to bring the 20 men home.

Furthermore, Hamas confirmed the names of the living hostages who will be returned and the Palestinian prisoners who will be freed.

Trump arrives in Tel Aviv to oversee peace deal

The release of the hostages comes as Donald Trump arrives in Tel Aviv to see his peace deal realized and speak to the Israeli parliament.

Onboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he was hopeful the hostages may be released earlier than expected, adding, "Getting them was amazing actually, because we were involved, and they were in places that you don't want to know about."

Moreover, he addressed reporters just before boarding the plane at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and spoke of the enormity of the deal.

"There are 500,000 people, yesterday and today, in Israel, and also the Muslim and Arab countries are all cheering. Everybody's cheering at one time — that's never happened before," the POTUS said.

He added, "Usually, if you have one cheering, the other isn't — the other is the opposite. This is the first time everybody is amazed, and they're thrilled. It's an honor to be involved, and we're going to have an amazing time, and it's going to be something that's never, never happened before."

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Monday marked "the beginning of a new path."

He told the relatives of the remaining hostages that their release was a "historic event that some people did not believe would happen".

"Together we will continue to win, and with the help of God, together we will guarantee the eternity of the country and land of Israel," the Israeli prime minister added.