In a moment of profound relief for Israel, seven hostages—Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dallal—returned home Monday morning after 737 days in Hamas’s brutal captivity, marking the first concrete step in U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed their identities, ending nearly two years of anguish for their loved ones and galvanizing hope in a nation scarred by the October 7, 2023, attacks.
The release, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, comes as part of a fragile ceasefire that has halted a war claiming over 67,000 Palestinian and 1,200 Israeli lives. The freed hostages, among the 20 believed still alive from the 251 abducted during Hamas’s assault, were whisked to Israeli hospitals for medical checks and emotional reunions. “They’re back—our family is whole again,” said a tearful relative of the Berman brothers outside Sheba Medical Center, where crowds waved yellow ribbons.
Who Are the Freed Seven?
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum provided details on the returnees, each a testament to resilience:
- Gali and Ziv Berman: Twin brothers, 26, kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza while visiting family. Their abduction video sparked nationwide protests.
- Matan Angrest: A 21-year-old IDF soldier, taken from a border post. His mother’s daily vigils outside government offices became a rallying cry.
- Alon Ohel: A 23-year-old musician, seized at the Nova music festival where 364 died. His piano renditions of hope went viral during his captivity.
- Omri Miran: A 46-year-old father of two, dragged from his home in Nahal Oz. His wife’s advocacy kept his name in headlines.
- Eitan Mor: A 47-year-old farmer, abducted while defending his kibbutz. Known for his quiet courage, he shielded children during the attack.
- Guy Gilboa-Dallal: A 22-year-old student, taken from a bomb shelter. His poetry, smuggled from captivity, inspired global solidarity.
Emerging frail but defiant, the group described to IDF medics a “nightmare” of cramped tunnels, scarce food, and psychological torment. Gali Berman, gripping his brother’s hand, told reporters, “We survived for this moment—to see Israel again.”
A Fragile Peace Takes Root
The release is the cornerstone of Trump’s peace deal, unveiled October 8, which demands Hamas surrender all 48 remaining hostages (20 living, 28 deceased) within 72 hours, alongside an IDF withdrawal and the release of 1,950 Palestinian prisoners. Trump, who landed in Egypt for a summit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Arab mediators, called it a “monumental win” on Truth Social, crediting his team’s “tough love” diplomacy.
Hamas, under pressure from Qatar and Egypt, has agreed to disband its military wing, with fighters offered amnesty or exile. Meanwhile, aid convoys have begun reaching Gaza’s starving north, though rebuilding a shattered enclave remains daunting.
Challenges Ahead
While Israel celebrates, risks loom. Netanyahu faces coalition unrest over prisoner swaps, and Hamas insists on freeing high-profile detainees like Marwan Barghouti. Families of the 13 living hostages still in Gaza, and those awaiting remains, fear delays. “Seven is a miracle, but it’s not enough,” said Rachel Cunio, mother of missing 12-year-old Ariel.
As Trump prepares to address the Knesset, the world watches whether this ceasefire—born of exhaustion and diplomacy—can hold. For the Bermans, Angrest, Ohel, Miran, Mor, and Gilboa-Dallal, the war is over. For Gaza and Israel, the road to peace remains a tightrope.
