Tel Aviv [Israel], October 13 (ANI): The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed on Monday that 13 more hostages freed by Hamas are on their way back to Israel after being handed over to the Red Cross in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, marking the full return of all 20 living hostages.
According to the IDF, the hostages are being escorted by personnel from the Israel Defence Forces and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) as they travel to Israel for initial medical evaluations.
“The commanders and soldiers of the IDF salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a statement, welcoming the group after nearly two years in captivity.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) earlier confirmed that the 13 hostages had been collected from Hamas custody in southern Gaza and were en route to Israeli territory.
The freed hostages were identified as Elkana Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Evyatar David, Rom Braslavski, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Matan Zangauker, Bar Kupershtein, David Cunio, and Ariel Cunio.
Upon arrival, they will undergo comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations before being reunited with their families at designated reception centers in southern Israel.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit urged the public to act with empathy and discretion. “We ask the public to act responsibly and with sensitivity, to respect the privacy of the returning hostages, and to rely solely on official information,” the statement read.
Earlier, the IDF had confirmed that seven hostages—Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dallal—were transferred to the Red Cross and safely escorted out of Gaza by special Israeli forces.
All seven from the first group arrived at an IDF facility near the border community of Re’im for medical checkups before being reunited with their families.
Emotional scenes unfolded across Israel as families reconnected with their loved ones through video calls and in-person meetings. Avishai David, the father of hostage Evyatar David, told Channel 12 that his family was waiting to “hug, smell, and breathe” their son after speaking to him briefly while he was still in Hamas captivity.
In another video, Avi Ohana, father of hostage Yosef-Haim Ohana, was seen speaking with his son, telling him that “everyone is waiting” for his return.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that all families of the released hostages had been informed and that the government “embraces our hostages returning home.”
“The Government of Israel is committed to the return of all hostages held by the enemy and will pursue this mission with determination and persistence,” the statement added.
The release coincided with the arrival of US President Donald Trump in Israel. According to the White House, Trump witnessed the first moments of the hostage handover from aboard Air Force One en route to Tel Aviv, calling the event “history in the making.” (ANI)
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