Israelis Await Return of Gaza Hostages

After over two years of war following the October 7 massacre carried out by the Palestinian terror group Hamas, the long-awaited deal between Israel and Hamas marks the first phase of a potential end to the war in Gaza.

Announced by President Trump on October 8, the agreement is based on his 20-point peace framework and lays out a detailed sequence of steps: the release of Israeli hostages, a limited and conditional Israeli troop withdrawal, and the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners.

Timeline of the Hostage Release and Deal Implementation

• September 29:

President Trump announced that Israel accepted the U.S. plan for peace and convened an international coalition to bring Hamas to the table.

• October 8:

President Trump announces Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of a peace agreement, based on Trump’s 20-point plan.

• October 9:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the security cabinet and is expected to approve the agreement.

• Within 24 Hours of Ratification:

This will be followed by a limited IDF withdrawal from Gaza, mainly from populated areas such as Khan Younis and Gaza City, leaving the IDF in control of approximately 53% of the area.

• Within 72 Hours of Withdrawal:

Hamas is expected to release all 48 hostages, starting with 20 believed to be alive.

All the living hostages will be transferred to the Red Cross, then to Israeli custody for medical care and reunification with families.

President Trump announced that this is expected to take place no later than Tuesday.

The remains of slain hostages will be returned to Israel with full military honors and forensic identification. A special IDF engineering unit will inspect every coffin to ensure they do not contain explosives.

• Israel will release 250 Palestinian terrorists sentenced to life for murdering Israelis, as well as 1,700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza.

Israel will not free members of the Nukhba Force—Hamas’s elite commando unit responsible for the October 7 massacre and mass kidnappings—nor Marwan Barghouti, the mastermind of the Second Intifada, who is currently serving five life sentences.

Aid and humanitarian access will also be surged and increased throughout Gaza, delivered through various international agencies.

Over the weekend, President Trump reportedly plans to travel to visit Egypt for the official signing ceremony, and then to Israel on Sunday to address speak at the Knesset and participate in a special ceremony at the Western Wall.

• Following the Release and Challenges Ahead:

Negotiations in Egypt, involving U.S., Qatari, and Turkish mediators, will continue to coordinate further phases of the agreement and ensure compliance.

Hamas remains unwilling to fully disarm; proposals to surrender “heavy” weapons while retaining small arms have been rejected by Israel.

The U.S. plan envisions an international mechanism, with Palestinian participation, to govern Gaza post-conflict; Hamas has declined to accept international oversight.

Significant questions also remain regarding the ability of the Palestinian leadership, particularly the Palestinian Authority, to effectively and significantly reform, create a pipeline for new and pragmatic leaders dedicated to peace, prosperity, and regional cooperation, especially with Israel.

Major questions also remain regarding the ability of Israeli and Palestinian leaders to agree on a political horizon for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which recognizes the aspiration of the Palestinian people.

Equally important is the Arab world’s openness and embrace of Israel as a normalized and accepted country within the Middle East.

Who are the living Israeli hostages expected to be released?

1. Elkana Bohbot
2. Bar Kuperstein
3. Maxim Harkin
4. Segev Kalfon
5. Ziv Berman
6. Gali Berman
7. Eitan Horn
8. Ariel Cunio
9. David Cunio
10. Eitan Mor
11. Matan Angrist
12. Nimrod Cohen
13. Avintan Or
14. Alon Ahel
15. Yosef Haim Ohana
16. Matan Zangauker
17. Evitar David
18. Guy Gilboa-Dalal
19. Omri Miran
20. Rom Breslavski

Who are the hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups?

1. Ariel Cunio (27)
2. Alon Ohel (23)
3. Eitan Horn (38)
4. Avinatan Or (31)
5. Elkana Bohbot (35)
6. Evyatar David (24)
7. Bipin Joshi (24)
8. Ziv Berman (27)
9. Gali Berman (27)
10. David Cunio (34)
11. Eitan Mor (24)
12. Maxim Herkin (36)
13. Omri Miran (47)
14. Bar Abraham Kupershtein (23)
15. Guy Gilboa-Dalal (23)
16. Nimrod Cohen (20)
17. Matan Zangauker (25)
18. Tamir Nimrodi (20)
19. Matan Angrest (22)
20. Segev Kalfon (27)
21. Rom Braslavski (21)
22. Yosef-Haim Ohana (24)
23. Itay Chen (19) - U.S. Citizen
24. Eliyahu Margalit (75)
25. Eitan Levi (52)
26. Sahar Baruch (24)
27. Joshua Luito Mollel (21)
28. Tal Haimi (41)
29. Arie Zalmanowicz (85)
30. Ran Gvili (24)
31. Dror Or (48)
32. Tamir Adar (38)
33. Ronen Engel (54)
34. Inbar Hayman (27)
35. Guy Iluz (26)
36. Asaf Hamami (41)
37. Lior Rudaeff (61)
38. Muhammad Al-Atarash (39)
39. Meny Godard (73)
40. Omer Neutra (21) - U.S. Citizen
41. Yossi Sharabi (53)
42. Daniel Oz (19)
43. Daniel Perez (22)
44. Uriel Baruch (35)
45. Sontia Ok’Krasari (30)
46. Sontisek Rintalk (43)
47. Amiram Cooper (85)
48. Hadar Goldin (23)