The Red Cross confirmed it had received seven of the 20 Israeli hostages who were abducted by Hamas on October 7, with plans to move them into Israel-controlled areas before they’re returned to their elated families
The elated mother of one of the Israeli hostages was seen telling her son he would soon be free from Hamas’ clutches after two years in captivity.
Matan Zangauker, 25, is one of the 20 Israeli hostages to be released into the care of the Red Cross today, two years after he was abducted by Hamas during their cross border massacre on October 7, 2023.
In a video, his mother Einav holds back happy tears as she tells her son on video call: “You’re coming home – you’re all coming home. There’s no more war!”
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Einav has campaigned for her son’s release for two years, calling on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to do all it can to secure their freedom. Matan and his partner Ilana Gritzewsky were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, with Ilana being released a month later in November 2023.
It comes after the Red Cross confirmed it had received seven Israeli hostages after the landmark ceasefire deal was signed. Among them were Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor and Guy Gilboa-Dalal.
The former captives will be handed over to the military after being moved into Israeli-controlled parts of Gaza in Red Cross vehicles. From there, they’re heading to the Rei’im base in southern Israel, where medics will administer treatment to those in need. It’s also where their families will see them again in the flesh for the first time in more than 700 days.
US President Donald Trump was expected to land in Tel Aviv to take credit for his 20 point peace deal which effected the end of the war before flying to a Middle East summit.
In Tel Aviv cars beeped in celebration of the moment the hostages reached safety as forensic teams prepared to receive the remains of up to 28 dead hostages later today.
This may be the last day Israelis will flock in such huge numbers to Hostage Square, where the Bring Them Home campaign has worked tirelessly to promote the releases.
As Israeli hostages were whisked across the border into the south of their country hundreds of Palestinians were set for release from prisons to be handed over to Gaza and exile abroad.
Hamas has said 20 living hostages will be exchanged for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Another 25 of hostages in Gaza are believed to have died.