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Seven Israeli hostages were released from Gaza on Monday morning, marking the first step in a carefully coordinated hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. The handover was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the released hostages include Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal. All seven were received by the ICRC at 8:10 a.m., before being officially handed over to the IDF at 9:10 a.m.
Preparations were underway across Israel to ensure the hostages’ immediate safety and medical assessment. If their conditions remain stable, they will move from Red Cross custody to IDF special forces custody, before being transported to the Re’im base and finally to Sheba, Ichilov, or Beilinson hospitals.
For hostages requiring urgent medical care, helicopters are ready to transfer them directly to Soroka Medical Center or Barzilai Medical Center. The IDF also anticipates receiving some deceased hostages, a process expected to unfold over multiple days with thorough identification protocols.
The exchange is part of a broader agreement tied to a ceasefire and is guided by a mechanism associated with the Trump-mediated negotiations. Hamas is obliged to assist in locating other deceased hostages, particularly where identification may be more challenging.
In addition to the live hostages, the ICRC will facilitate the transfer of approximately 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners held in Israeli facilities to Gaza, the West Bank, and other locations, including Qatar and Turkey.
The releases come following the IDF’s full repositioning over the weekend, a key condition for activating the first stage of the agreement. Both Israeli and Palestinian authorities finalized lists of prisoners and resolved disputes over names and transfer timing in the days leading up to the operation.
The process is expected to continue over the coming days, with subsequent groups of hostages, including deceased individuals, to be released under similar verification and transfer protocols. Movements from staging areas in Gaza to border transfer points and onward to reception centers in Israel are being closely monitored.
Monday’s release coincides with a high-profile visit by US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to arrive later in the day and address the Knesset. Officials said the timing underscores the international significance of the hostage exchange and its potential impact on regional stability.
This historic release marks a crucial moment in the Israel-Hamas conflict, providing hope for families of hostages while highlighting the ongoing challenges in implementing and verifying complex prisoner swaps under fragile ceasefire conditions.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members