by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump arrived in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Monday while the release of the last 20 living hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, was underway.
Trump signed the Knesset guestbook writing: “This is my great honor- A great and beautiful day. A new beginning.”
As he inked his message in his signature emboldened hand writing, Hamas announced that “all living captives” were “now freed.”
That announcement came as the first of 38 buses carrying hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails has crossed into Gaza, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office.
Eitan Mor was among the first seven Israeli hostages released to Israel early this morning.
Mor reunited with his parents after spending more than two years in Hamas captivity.
‘THANKSGIVING TO GOD’
“In praise and thanksgiving to God, we are happy to announce that our Eitan is home!” his parents wrote on a social media post. “Our beloved Eitan, how much we have waited for you, how much we have waited to finally see you after two years.”
There were jubilant scenes across Israel as families and loved ones reunited with freed hostages
Emotional footage was shared by Israeli broadcasters to an estimated 65,000 people gathered in front of large screens on “hostages square” in Tel Aviv and to millions more watching the coverage at home.
In a statement the family of Omri Miran, 48, who was abducted in front of his wife and two children during Hamas’s attack on Israel of 7 October 2023 at Nahal Oz kibbutz, said his return was a victory for “an entire people”.
They said: “After more than 700 long, painful, and agonising days, Omri will finally receive from [his children] Roni and Alma a healing embrace. We want to thank the people of Israel from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us in the darkest hours and on days when this moment seemed like a distant and impossible wish. This moment, today, is not a personal victory but a victory of an entire people.
“We also want to express our deep gratitude to the security forces and the heroic [Israel Defense Force] soldiers. We are at the beginning of a complex and challenging, yet moving, journey of recovery.
STRUGGLE CONTINUES
“We remain committed to the struggle until the last hostage returns, and until the complete recovery of our beloved country. May Omri’s return mark the beginning of this recovery and the unity of our people.”
The family of Matan Angrest, 22, an Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldier captured when his tank was attacked by Hamas near the Gaza perimeter fence, who have been critical of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over the continuation of the war, praised Donald Trump.
They said: “We can breathe again. Our Matan is home. Our beloved boy has been returned to us after two complex years, and we are so proud of him … A huge, historic, eternal thank you to the president of the United States and his team who worked with dedication and persistence for the rescue and return of our loved ones.
“The joy in our family is mixed with sadness for those murdered and for those who were not returned alive.”
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Israeli ministers also approved overnight a list of 1,718 Palestinian prisoners set to be released. That is due to follow the handover of 28 dead Israeli hostages.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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