By Innovation Times Middle East Affairs Desk
October 13, 2025 | Jerusalem
After 738 harrowing days in captivity, the last surviving hostages held by Hamas have finally been released, marking a historic turning point in the Israel-Gaza conflict. The release comes as part of a landmark peace agreement that international mediators describe as the most promising step toward stability in the region in decades.
Israeli authorities confirmed on Monday that the final group of hostages was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross inside Gaza and safely transferred to Israeli medical teams near the border. The released captives, many of whom appeared weak and emotional, were reunited with their families after nearly two years in what officials described as “unimaginable conditions.”
“This is a day of deep relief for our nation,” said Prime Minister David Cohen during a televised address. “The pain and fear endured by these hostages and their families will never be forgotten. Their freedom reminds us that perseverance and diplomacy can bring light even in the darkest moments.”
The breakthrough deal was achieved through mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations, following months of secret negotiations and back-channel talks. Under the agreement, Hamas released all remaining hostages in exchange for a gradual easing of Israel’s blockade on Gaza, an expansion of humanitarian aid, and a framework for long-term reconstruction efforts.
Hamas officials described the release as a “humanitarian act” linked to the implementation of the peace accord. In Jerusalem, Israeli security leaders called the deal a “strategic necessity,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining vigilance to prevent further violence from extremist groups operating outside Hamas’s control.
The United Nations Secretary-General praised the release as “a monumental step toward reconciliation,” while the U.S. State Department expressed cautious optimism, calling the agreement “a potential foundation for a sustainable peace.”
In Israel, scenes of emotion unfolded as families gathered at hospitals and border crossings, waiting for loved ones who had been missing since the October 2023 Hamas attacks. Those attacks left hundreds dead and more than 200 people abducted, sparking one of the most prolonged hostage crises in the region’s history.
Vigils turned into celebrations across cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa as thousands gathered in public squares waving Israeli flags and singing. For many, the moment symbolized the end of a national nightmare and the beginning of cautious hope for a more peaceful future.
Aid convoys have already begun entering Gaza as part of the peace framework, carrying food, medicine, and construction materials. Analysts say the implementation of these humanitarian measures will determine whether the agreement endures or collapses under political pressure.
“This release is not the end of the story,” said UN peace envoy Leila Hamad. “It is the beginning of a new phase where trust must be rebuilt and human dignity restored on both sides.”
