In a pivotal step toward implementing the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, Hamas on Monday published the names of 20 Israeli hostages set to be released from Gaza. The announcement marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to end the war that erupted following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The hostages—whose names include Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, and others—are expected to be handed over to the Red Cross early Monday morning and transported in six to eight vehicles to Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza. From there, they will be transferred to the Reim military base in southern Israel for reunification with their families and medical evaluation.
Medical Support and Reception
According to Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian, the hostages will be distributed among three hospitals equipped to receive them:
- Sheba Medical Center: 10 hostages
- Beilinson Hospital: 5 hostages
- Ichilov Hospital: 5 hostages
Bedrosian emphasized that the release of Palestinian prisoners will only begin once Israel confirms that all hostages have safely crossed into Israeli territory. “As soon as we have confirmation that they have entered Israeli territory, those buses will depart and begin their journey,” she stated.
Prisoner Exchange and Political Stakes
The ceasefire deal, approved by both Israel and Hamas and proposed by US President Donald Trump, includes the release of 47 hostages—both living and deceased—as well as the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza war.
Israel is preparing to release approximately 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 security detainees and 1,700 individuals detained during the recent conflict. Hamas has reportedly demanded that seven senior Palestinian leaders be included in the final release list, with names such as Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat among those cited by sources close to the negotiations.
Public Vigil and Emotional Toll
In Tel Aviv, volunteers gathered at Hostages Square on Sunday evening, preparing Israeli flags and holding vigil in anticipation of the release. The emotional weight of the moment is palpable, as families await news of their loved ones and forensic teams stand ready to identify any remains.
During previous ceasefires, some hostages returned deceased, with identification confirmed only after autopsies at Israel’s Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.
Global Diplomacy in Motion
The ceasefire deal has drawn international attention, with Egypt set to host global leaders—including President Trump—in Sharm El-Sheikh to discuss long-term peace strategies for Gaza. Meanwhile, tensions remain high across the region, with Lebanon expressing concern over potential Israeli escalation following recent airstrikes.
As the first phase of the exchange unfolds, the world watches closely—hoping that this moment of release and reconciliation might signal a turning point in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless families.
