The first seven Israeli hostages have been released: the most anticipated dawn. The Red Cross confirms this, and Tel Aviv protests for the return of the kidnapped.

The first liberations at dawn

Tel Aviv, October 13, 2025 – 7:10 a.m. Italian time.

The Red Cross confirms that the first seven Israeli hostages held by Hamas were handed over this morning in central Gaza, Deir al-Balah, on what is being called “the most anticipated day” by Israel and the world.

The handover is taking place under the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. The operation, which began at 7:00 AM Italian time, is divided into two phases: a first batch of hostages has already been placed in the custody of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), while the second is scheduled for 9:00 AM Italian time.

The names of the first seven freed are Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, and Eitan Mor. All had been held captive in Gaza since October 7, 2023, the day the conflict between Israel and Hamas flared up again after the attacks in the south of the country.

The Red Cross confirms the start of the exchange

ICRC convoys reached the designated assembly point at dawn, escorted by international observers and mediators.

After the handover, the hostages are transferred to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), who await them at the Re'im military base, near the border with Gaza.

Here they will undergo initial medical and psychological checks before returning to their respective families.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that a "welcome kit" was prepared for each freed hostage, including basic necessities, communication devices and a handwritten note from Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu:

"On behalf of all the people of Israel, welcome back. We have been waiting for you and we embrace you."

An emotion that runs through Israel

As the first images of the convoys are broadcast live, “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv fills with flags, photographs and songs.

For 737 days, the square has been a symbol of the civil mobilization for the release of the kidnapped victims. This morning, thousands of people are watching the news with bated breath, a mixture of joy and disbelief.

The list of 20 hostages expected for today

Overnight, Hamas's military wing released a list of 20 names of live hostages slated for release today.

The list coincides with the one already known to the Israeli authorities and includes:

Bar Kuperstein, Eviatar David, Yosef Haim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avitan Or, Elkana Buchbot, Maxim Harkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Tsengauker, David Cuneo, Eitan Horn, Matan Engerst, Eitan Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Breslavsky and Ariel Cune.

The families were warned during the night that the release would take place in two phases.

Trump in Israel: "The war is over"

At the same time, Donald Trump is expected in Tel Aviv to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and speak to the Knesset.

The American president, the main architect of the mediation, declared before leaving the United States:

“The war is over. Okay? Do you understand? Now peace begins.”

After his speech in Jerusalem, Trump will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, where he will open the “Peace Summit” dedicated to the future of Gaza together with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

More than twenty world leaders are expected to attend, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), Emmanuel Macron, Rishi Sunak, Mohammed bin Salman and António Guterres.

Neither Israel nor Hamas will participate.

Overnight, Israeli President Herzog announced that he would award Trump Israel’s highest civilian honor “for his decisive role in the release of the hostages and promoting peace.”

The wait in the region and the unresolved issues

According to diplomatic sources, the agreement stipulates that, in exchange for the release of the hostages, Israel will free 250 Palestinian detainees classified as "security prisoners" and 1.700 arrested in Gaza since October 2023.

The release of the prisoners will take place only after official confirmation from the Red Cross that all the hostages have been returned alive.

Meanwhile, internal tensions continue in Gaza: overnight, local media reported clashes between Hamas and pro-Israeli militias in Khan Younis, resulting in dozens of casualties.

The prospect of the Sharm summit

The Egyptian summit is expected to focus on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, devastated by two years of war, and the formation of a new Palestinian transition committee that would exclude Hamas from the future government.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani confirmed that “more complex” negotiations – such as the disarmament of the Islamist movement – ​​will be postponed “to a later stage.”

Iran, however, was absent, having rejected Cairo's invitation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi explained on X that "it is not possible to dialogue with those who have attacked and continue to sanction the Iranian people," referring to the United States.

A morning that marks history

This morning, Israel holds its breath in the face of an event that combines emotion, caution, and hope.

For the first time in two years of war, seven hostages are free, and more could follow in the coming hours.

The images of the crowded Tel Aviv square, of the Red Cross buses crossing Gaza, and of families embracing will remain as a symbol of a day that, whatever happens, marks a turning point.

As Haaretz writes, “today the sky above Israel and Gaza is the same: full of tears, but also of possibilities.”