Posted on 10/13/25
| News Source: Arutz-7
Tel Aviv, Israel - Oct. 13, 2025 - The release of hostages is set to begin on Monday morning at 8:00 a.m.
A source familiar with the details told the newspaper Al-Sharq that Hamas informed the International Committee of the Red Cross that the handover of the hostages will take place from three different locations in the Gaza Strip.
The source noted that Hamas will determine the exact times and notify the Red Cross of the handover locations.
The hostages' families have begun heading to Re’im military base in preparation to meet their loved ones.
An Israeli official estimated that the release will occur in two stages, with some hostages freed at 8:00 a.m. and the second group at 9:00 a.m.
Upon their release, the hostages will undergo an initial debriefing with Israeli officials and professionals experienced in handling such cases. These encounters will take place immediately upon exiting the Gaza Strip.
Family reunions will be held at the Re’im military base, which has been significantly expanded to accommodate this large-scale operation. Each hostage will also undergo a medical evaluation at the site.
Afterward, the survivors will be airlifted by Air Force helicopters to hospitals for further care: ten to Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer, five to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, and five to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva.
Following the return of the living hostages, the Red Cross will re-enter Gaza to collect the remains of those who died in captivity.
According to the terms of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, the terrorist group is expected to return 28 bodies. Israeli officials estimate that only about half will be transferred on Monday.
9:38 a.m.: Second group of hostages to be transferred within half an hour
9:35 a.m.:The IDF and ISA have announced that the seven released hostages are now in Israeli territory.
"The returning hostages, Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Omri Miran and Matan Angrest, accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, crossed the border into the State of Israel a short while ago," the statement said. "They are currently on their way to the initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will reunite with their families."
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
9:26 a.m.: The doctors who examined hostage Eitan Mor at the scene have informed his family that his condition is normal.
9:18 a.m.:The videos calls in which hostages spoke with their family members were facilitated by Hamas, which reached out to the families. The hostages in question are those still in captivity.
Unlike in previous hostage releases, Hamas is now allowing the hostages to contact their families prior to being released.
9:11 a.m.:The IDF and ISA have announced that seven returning hostages are making their way towards Israeli territory.
"Seven returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and ISA forces on their return to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment," a statement read. "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 Spokesperson’s Unit asks the public to act responsibly and with sensitivity, to respect the privacy of the returning hostages, and to rely solely on official information.
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
9:00 a.m.: The IDF has received the seven newly-released hostages. Channel 12 reports that their families have spoken to them on the phone.
8:58 a.m.: The families of released hostages have received the first photos of their loved ones.
8:56 a.m.: The Prime Minister's spokeswoman has announced the official return of the hostages. Watch.
8:50 a.m.: The IDF and ISA have confirmed: "According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven hostages have been transferred into their custody, and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip."
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
8:48 a.m.: All of the hostages are in Red Cross vehicles and making their way towards the IDF soldiers waiting to receive them. All entered the vehicles independently. The trip is expected to take up to half an hour.
8:42 a.m.: The IDF is waiting in Gaza to receive the seven released hostages; delays are reported.
8:35 a.m.: IDF helicopters take off for Re'im, where the hostages will undergo initial medical examinations and meet their families.
8:34 a.m.: Al-Araby has reported that three Red Cross vehicles received the hostages from Hamas in Gaza City.
8:32 a.m.: The seven released hostages have been transferred to the IDF.
8:25 a.m.: US President Donald Trump is watching the hostage release live on Air Force 1.
8:24 a.m.: Al Jazeera has reported that additional hostages will be released at 10:00 a.m. from southern Gaza.
8:21 a.m.: Hamas has announced the release of the first group of hostages, Channel 12 reported. In a statement, Hamas declared, "We declare our commitment to the agreement reached and the timetables related to it, so long as Israel keeps to them."
8:13 a.m.: The seven hostages release in the first group are Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Alon Ohel, Matan Angrest, and Omri Miran.
8:05 a.m.: Seven Israeli hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross, all are walking independently and in "okay" condition.
8:04 a.m.: The Red Cross has confirmed that the hostage release has begun.
7:47 a.m.: The IDF has reported: "According to information received, the Red Cross is on its way to a meeting point in the northern Gaza Strip where several hostages will be transferred into their custody."
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
7:35 a.m.: Among those expected to be released in the first group are hostages Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, and Alon Ohel.
7:29 a.m.:IAF completes preparations for receiving hostages returning from Gaza.
7:28 a.m.: In every Red Cross vehicle, there will be two released hostages.
7:22 a.m.: The Red Cross is making its way toward the first pick-up point, to collect some of the hostages.
7:17 a.m.: The first helicopter has arrived at Re'im, where the hostages will be received.
7:08 a.m.: Hamas has published the list of living hostages to be released. The list includes 20 hostages, and is the same list known already to Israel. Tamir Nimrodi, regarding whom there was concern that he is no longer alive, does not appear on the list.
The list includes: Bar Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef Haim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Elkana Bohbot, Maxim Herkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Zangauker, David Cunio, Eitan Horn, Matan Angrest, Eitan Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavsky, and Ariel Cunio.
Groups of Israelis have gathered at the homes of the hostages to be released, as well as at Hostages Square. At the site of the Nova massacre, a festive prayer service is being held, led by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu.