On October 13, 2025, scenes of raw emotion and relief unfolded at the Re’im military base in southern Israel, as 20 living hostages freed from Hamas captivity in Gaza finally reunited with their families after an agonizing 738 days. The moment marked an extraordinary turning point in a conflict that has gripped the region and the world for over two years, bringing with it tears, joy, and a renewed sense of hope for many Israelis.
Among the newly freed was 25-year-old Eitan Mor, who stepped into a meeting room only to be enveloped in a tight embrace by his father, Zvika Mor, and mother, Efrat. The family’s reunion was punctuated by elation and disbelief. “Our beloved Eitan, how much we have waited for you, how much we have waited to finally see you after two years,” his parents said in a heartfelt statement, according to reporting by the New York Post. The intensity of the moment was echoed in the reactions of other families as well. Einav Zangauker, a prominent figure who led the families’ protest movement, ran to greet her son, Matan Zangauker, also 25, with tears streaming down her face. “My life, my life,” she cried, as she hugged and kissed her son, who responded with a radiant smile and warm embrace.
These reunions, captured by news cameras and shared widely, stood in stark contrast to the last images the world saw of these hostages: emaciated, frightened, and forced to endure unimaginable conditions in Gaza’s tunnels. For families like the Zangaukers, the relief was palpable but tinged with the knowledge that the road to recovery would be long. “After two years of hell, today we begin a new chapter in our lives — one of healing and rehabilitation for Matan and for our family,” the Zangaukers said. “Matan has been gone for two years, and there is a long road ahead for him and for us.”
According to BBC, the first seven living hostages were seen flying back from Gaza, prompting a wave of relief among those waiting at the base. Rotem Cooper, who was awaiting the return of his father’s body, described the moment as “big relief as we saw the first seven [living hostages] flying by.” Yet, he acknowledged the difficult phase ahead: “Then we get to the much tougher phase of getting the ones who are no longer alive. It’s heartbreaking.”
All 20 freed hostages were quickly transported to hospitals in central Israel for thorough health evaluations, as reported by i24NEWS. Their release did not mark the end of the ordeal for many families. The bodies of four other hostages—Bipin Joshi, Daniel Peretz, Yossi Sharabi, and Guy Illouz—were in the process of being returned to Israel, with Hamas expected to release additional corpses in the days to come. Israeli officials cautioned that locating and identifying all the deceased could take time. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed both gratitude and frustration, stating, “Our struggle is not over. It will not end until the last hostage is located and returned for proper burial. This is our moral obligation. Only then will the people of Israel be whole.”
The release of the hostages was part of a broader ceasefire agreement brokered with the aid of international mediators. As part of the deal, 1,968 Palestinian detainees and prisoners—most of whom were arrested since October 7—were released by Israel, according to Haaretz. The exchange was lauded by the International Committee of the Red Cross, whose president, Mirjana Spoljaric, issued a statement welcoming the exchange and expressing hope that “this marks a new beginning for those released, for their families, and for millions of civilians.” But she also noted, “More families are waiting anxiously to receive their loved ones, and deserve closure. The ceasefire must hold.”
Political leaders from around the world weighed in on the historic day. U.S. President Donald Trump, who attended a ceremony in Egypt to sign the Gaza ceasefire agreement and addressed the Israeli Knesset, remarked, “We’ve settled eight wars. Now I can say eight, because the hostages are back. They’re back. It’s a good feeling and nice to say. It feels so good to say it.” Trump described the reunion videos as “fantastic,” adding, “The level of love and sorrow, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Former U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed deep gratitude and relief, saying he was “deeply grateful and relieved that this day has come,” not only for the families of the Israeli hostages but also for civilians in Gaza who “experienced immeasurable loss.” Biden emphasized that his administration had “worked relentlessly to bring hostages home, get relief to Palestinian civilians, and end the war,” and he commended President Trump and his team “for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line.” Biden voiced optimism that the Middle East was now “on a path to peace,” envisioning a future “for Israelis and Palestinians alike with equal measures of peace, dignity, and safety.”
The events also sparked debate among American political figures. New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called the reunions and the first days of calm in Gaza “profoundly moving,” but he also criticized U.S. policy, saying, “The moral and human cost will be a lasting stain and requires accountability and real examination of our collective conscience and our government’s policies.” His competitor, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, called the moment “a reminder of our shared humanity and the sacred value of every life,” while also emphasizing the need to “stand together to say, with one voice: never forget and never again.” U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders highlighted the need for humanitarian support in Gaza and called for Israel to “abandon its current extremist course and move toward a genuine two-state resolution,” while also criticizing U.S. involvement in the war.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed joy and relief, with CEO Jonathan Greenblatt stating, “We are overjoyed that the remaining living hostages have been freed and back home in Israel. It is a time to exhale and exult.” The ADL also acknowledged ongoing security threats against Israel and noted “the most significant spike in antisemitism since WWII” in the United States, urging continued vigilance and action.
Preparations for the hostages’ return had been underway for days, with red carpets, flags, and a media presence ready to capture the historic moment. Hostages coordinator Gal Hirsch informed families, “Preparations to receive the living hostages in the Gaza Strip—at the Re’im camp, in hospitals, and across government reception systems—have been completed.” The release itself was carefully coordinated, with the Red Cross and Israeli military ensuring the safe transfer of hostages and the return of bodies.
As the dust settles and families begin the long journey toward healing, the events of October 13 serve as both a moment of celebration and a solemn reminder of the conflict’s enduring toll. For many, the struggle will not be over until every last hostage—living or deceased—is accounted for and brought home. The hope now is that the ceasefire will hold, and that this chapter of pain and loss will give way to one of peace and reconciliation.
