Hostages return to Israel as Trump speaks to Knesset in Jerusalem to celebrate ceasefire

The first seven hostages were released as President Donald Trump landed in Air Force One at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and went to speak at the Knesset. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a photo from aboard Air Force One showing Trump’s team watching live footage of the Gaza hostage release en route to Israel.

The freed hostages, Matan Engerst, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, were escorted by Red Cross convoys out of Gaza and handed over to Israeli forces. They were seen walking on their own, but their conditions were not immediately known.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops met the hostages inside Gaza and are escorting them to Israeli territory for medical evaluations. “The commanders and soldiers of the IDF salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel,” the military said, urging the public to respect the families’ privacy.

Emotional scenes unfolded across Israel as families and citizens gathered in Tel Aviv at Hostage Square and other cities to watch live coverage of the release. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the families of the hostages have been notified and will be supported by the Hostages and Returnees Directorate.

Each freed Israeli will receive a care package prepared by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, containing clothing, personal items, and electronics, along with a handwritten note: “On behalf of all the people of Israel, welcome back! We have been waiting for you, we embrace you. — Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu.”

Footage from Reuters showed Red Cross vehicles traveling through Khan Younis in southern Gaza early Monday, signaling that the exchange process was underway. The ICRC is overseeing the simultaneous transfer of hostages to Israel and 1,966 Palestinian prisoners, including murderers and rapists, to Gaza, the West Bank, and abroad.

According to an official involved in the operation, 1,716 Palestinians from Gaza will be released via Nasser Hospital, while 250 prisoners, many serving life sentences, will be sent to the West Bank, Jerusalem, and international destinations. All detainees were reported to have boarded buses from Israeli prisons early Monday.

Hamas claimed that a total of 20 hostages would be exchanged for the nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, marking the most significant handover since the conflict reignited two years ago.

The Arabic-language Al-Araby channel broadcast footage of Red Cross vehicles arriving at a remote handover site between southern and central Gaza, describing it as the second and final stage of the hostage release, during which 13 more hostages are expected to be freed later in the day.

As the exchanges began, US President Donald Trump landed in Tel Aviv early Monday to oversee the implementation of the Israel-Hamas peace accord, a deal he said would “end the war” after two years of fighting in Gaza.

Trump was welcomed on the tarmac by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and their spouses, with a red carpet ceremony and a military band. Emerging from Air Force One alone, Trump pumped his fist and smiled before shaking hands with Herzog and Netanyahu, engaging in what appeared to be a relaxed and friendly conversation.

After the arrival ceremony, Trump invited Netanyahu and his wife Sara to join him inside his armored vehicle, known as “The Beast,” for the ride to Jerusalem, a departure from diplomatic protocol, according to Netanyahu’s office. The president was also greeted by his daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who were among the negotiators involved in the talks.

Trump later addressed the Knesset later Monday and was slated to meet with families of the released hostages before heading to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for an international summit where global leaders are expected to finalize the terms of the broader peace agreement.

The hostage-prisoner exchange follows weeks of intense negotiations involving Israel, Hamas, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The ceasefire, which took effect over the weekend, is being monitored by a civil-military coordination center established by US Central Command, with personnel from partner nations ensuring compliance.

The Israeli government said it remains committed to securing the return of all remaining hostages still held by Hamas and its affiliates.

“The Government of Israel embraces our hostages returning home,” the statement read. “We are committed to bringing back all hostages held by the enemy and will continue this mission with determination and perseverance.”

The second and final stage of Monday’s exchange occurred shortly after President Trump’s motorcade departed Ben Gurion Airport for the 40-minute drive to Jerusalem.

As Trump’s convoy made its way toward the capital, the 13 remaining hostages were turned over to the Red Cross and then transferred to the custody of the IDF.

The newly freed hostages are: Elkana Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Evyatar David, Rom Braslavski, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Matan Zangauker, Bar Kuperstein, David Cunio, and Ariel Cunio.

They were taken to an IDF facility near Re’im for initial medical examinations and emotional reunions with their families. According to Israeli officials, all appear to be in stable condition and are receiving ongoing care.

Hamas has yet to return the 28 dead bodies of hostages killed by terrorists in captivity.