Hamas releases all living hostages, a little over two years since October 7 attack

After freeing seven hostages earlier in the day, Hamas released the remaining 13 later on Monday, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The hostages are now being transferred to Israeli forces in Gaza before being reunited with their families.

“According to information provided by the Red Cross, 13 hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in Gaza,” the IDF said in a statement on X.

The hostages, kidnapped during Hamas’s assault on northern Israel on October 7, 2023, had been held in Gaza for nearly two years.

As part of the exchange, Israel is set to release 250 Palestinian prisoners and over 1,700 detainees, according to a BBC report.

Hamas had seized 251 people during the initial attack, but Monday’s releases mean the group is no longer holding any living hostages.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Israel earlier in the day and is expected to address the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, later in his visit.

Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Monday to discuss the possibility of Netanyahu attending a high-level summit on Gaza’s future in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, sources told CNN.

The summit, co-chaired by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is expected to bring together leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and governance.