Hamas freed the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal, marking what President Donald Trump called “the historic dawn of a new Middle East,”.

The Israeli military confirmed it had received all hostages known to be alive after their transfer from Gaza by the Red Cross, triggering scenes of jubilation at Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square,” where thousands gathered to celebrate their return with cheering, tears, and embraces.

A drone view shows people gathering at “Hostages Square” on the day of the return of Israeli hostages, who have been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Matanya Tausig

In exchange, Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released from Israeli jails and arrived in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, some appearing gaunt after years in detention. In Ramallah, crowds greeted them waving flags and chanting for freedom. “The skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace,” Trump was due to tell the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, ahead of his flight to Egypt for a summit focused on securing an enduring peace in Gaza.

Released Israeli hostage, Omri Miran, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, embraces his wife, Lishay Miran-Lav, after being released as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Reim, Israel October 13, 2025. Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY

A fragile first step toward peace

The exchange marked a key milestone in the first phase of the Gaza accord concluded last week in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Over 20 world leaders will attend Monday’s summit to discuss next steps in implementing Trump’s 20-point blueprint for peace, two years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken — the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Released Israeli hostage, Matan Zangauker is reunited with his mother Einav Zangauker, after being held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Reim, Israel October 13, 2025. Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY

Since then, Israeli bombardments and ground offensives have devastated Gaza, killing more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave’s health officials, and displacing nearly all of its 2.2 million residents.

Joy and grief across Israel and Gaza

A tightly packed crowd in the northern Israeli town of Lavon leapt to their feet and erupted into jubilant cheers at news of the release of Alon Ohel, 24, a hostage from their community who had been held by Hamas for more than two years. “It was an amazing feeling. I waited for this moment, specifically to see his face and to see him smiling,” said Inbar Halperin, 24, a childhood friend, as reported in Reuters.

Released hostage Alon Ohel, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, gestures upon arrival at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

She embraced friends with tears in her eyes as the first images of their former classmate — now free and standing — appeared on live television.

Photographs released by the Israeli military showed freed hostages smiling and embracing soldiers upon their return. One, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, held up a whiteboard from an Israeli helicopter reading, “I have returned – the people of Israel live.”

Released hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, looks on from the window of a helicopter, upon arrival at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

Released Israeli hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, speaks with a representative of the Israeli army after being released, as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Reim, Israel October 13, 2025. Courtesy of Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS

Released hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, looks on from the window of a helicopter, upon arrival at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

Families gathered in Reim, southern Israel, to greet them. “I am full of happiness. It’s hard to imagine how I feel this moment,” said Viki Cohen, whose son Nimrod was among those freed.

In Gaza, masked Hamas gunmen stood guard as residents prepared to welcome returning prisoners at Nasser Hospital. “We lost friends and relatives, we lost our houses and our city,” said Emad Abu Joudat, 57, from Gaza City. “I hope these images can be the end to this war.”

Ziv Berman, released hostage, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, is seen through a window of a helicopter that landed at Sheba Medical Center, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Ramat Gan, Israel October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Brothers Gali Berman and Ziv Berman, released hostages, who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, arrive at Sheba Medical Center, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Ramat Gan, Israel October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Released hostage Eitan Abraham Mor, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, reacts upon arrival at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

Released Israeli hostage, Omri Miran, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, is reunited with his wife, Lishay Miran-Lav, and father, Dani Miran, as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Reim, Israel October 13, 2025. Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS

Released Israeli hostage, Omri Miran, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, embraces his father, Dani Miran, after his release as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Reim, Israel October 13, 2025. Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS