Launched Israeli hostage, Eitan Abraham Mor, held in Gaza for the reason that lethal October 7, 2023 assault by Hamas, as a part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, is reunited together with his household, in Reim, in Israel October 13, 2025.
Israel Protection Forces/Handout through REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
The remaining 20 residing hostages have been launched Oct. 13 as a part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with crowds gathering in Tel Aviv to rejoice the return of the hostages.
Virtually 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails have been additionally launched as a part of the settlement, which was signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and mediators at a peace summit within the Egyptian metropolis of Sharm El-Sheikh on Oct. 13.
Trump, who unveiled a 20-point peace plan for Gaza in September that helped deliver concerning the present ceasefire, declared Monday that “the war is over.”
The battle started on Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, ensuing within the deaths of greater than 1,200 Israelis. Hamas additionally seized 251 hostages through the assault however had launched greater than 150 hostages throughout prior agreements. In line with widespread experiences, subsequent Israeli offensives have killed roughly 67,000 Gazans over the previous two years.
The 20 hostages freed Oct. 13, who had spent 738 days in captivity, represented the ultimate residing hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. All hostages freed have been males, whereas 4 our bodies of deceased hostages have been additionally handed over to Israel. Hamas is but to return the our bodies of 24 hostages.
Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz has said that any delay in returning the our bodies will signify a violation of the peace deal.
‘A sigh of relief’
Council Member Lynn Schulman stated she was “finally breathing a sigh of relief” after the hostages returned house, stating that she was “full of emotions” after witnessing hostages reunite with their households.
“As a Jew, Oct. 7, 2023, was heart breaking and mind numbing,” Schulman stated, including that she has been working with a number of organizations ever since to advocate for the discharge of the hostages.
“This day has finally arrived! I pray for the well-being of those who were released today and for the families of those who didn’t make it but who will be able to finally lay their loved ones to rest. Am also hoping for lasting peace in the region,” Schulman continued.
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng stated she is “relieved and grateful” to see the discharge of the 20 hostages, which she described as “long overdue.”
Meng vowed that she “would not rest” till the our bodies of deceased hostages have been returned to Israel.
“We also keep in our thoughts, the families of the deceased hostages including two American citizens, and will not rest until their remains are returned. We are devastated by the toll this war has taken on innocent civilians, both Israelis and Palestinians,” Meng stated.
Meng additionally known as on Hamas to “uphold the deal” to make sure that humanitarian support can enter Gaza.
“As we pray for a lasting peace in the region, we reaffirm that Hamas must not stay in power to prevent the horrors of October 7 from ever being repeated again,” Meng continued.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer described the discharge of the hostages as a “wonderful day” and counseled the advocacy of the victims’ households together with the Trump Administration for “making this moment happen.”
“Finally, finally, finally, the last living hostages brutally held by Hamas are home, an immense and overwhelming sigh of relief,” Schumer stated in an announcement.
Monumental alternative for lasting peace
Schumer stated U.S. and worldwide officers should now plan to rebuild Gaza with out Hamas and to make sure that humanitarian support and help will be delivered to Palestinians within the area.
“There is an enormous opportunity ahead for a long term and lasting peace,” Schumer stated. “It is with utmost importance that every party involved pursue the opportunity to finally build a lasting peace ultimately through a realized two-state solution that ensures security, prosperity, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
“Nothing will ever soothe the unspeakable torture and death suffered by the hostages and their families, nor bring back the thousands of civilians killed in the crossfire, but at long last the war is over,” Liu stated in an announcement. “We must now all pray for a lasting plan for peace in the region, and an end to antisemitism and Islamophobia here in New York and around the world.”
Meeting Member Andrew Hevesi stated the discharge of the hostages is an “undeniable good and an immeasurable relief.”
“For over two years, Israeli and Palestinian families have been torn apart by the horrors of war — with thousands living in fear, unsure where their loved ones were being held, whether they were even alive, and creating trauma and pain that will continue to reverberate for years,” Hevesi stated.
Hevesi added that he hopes the discharge of hostages will show a step in constructing an enduring peace within the area.
An opportunity to ‘properly mourn’
Rivka Wineberg, director of the Jewish Group Middle Chabad in Lengthy Island Metropolis (JCC Chabad LIC), stated the discharge of the hostages will enable the Jewish group to “properly mourn” the occasions of Oct. 7 for the primary time.
“After two long harrowing years, we are elated that all remaining living hostages held in Gaza have returned to their families and homeland. Now the healing can begin,” Wineberg stated in an announcement.
Wineberg added that it’s becoming that the discharge of hostages coincides with the Jewish vacation of Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish vacation that remembers the departed which is commonly mixed with Simchat Torah, which celebrates the completion of the annual Torah studying cycle.
“This holiday is the happiest on the Jewish calendar and Joy is the greatest elixir for communal healing,” Wineberg stated.
