Heartwarming Reunion: Emotional Images Capture Israeli Hostages Embracing Families

After enduring 738 harrowing days of captivity in the Gaza Strip, Israeli hostages have finally been reunited with their families and friends. Their release marks a significant moment following a prolonged period of uncertainty and anguish.

Thanks to a deal brokered by former President Donald Trump, all 20 surviving hostages have been freed as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. This accord is a crucial step toward resolving the devastating two-year conflict in Gaza.

The captives were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross before they were taken to the Re’im military base in southern Israel, where medical teams assessed them.

One of the emotional reunions captured in photographs was that of Omri Miran, 48, who embraced his wife, Lishay, upon his arrival at the reception point in southern Israel.

Miran had been abducted from his home in Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, and his release marks a poignant moment of relief and hope for his family and loved ones.

He was part of the first group of Israeli hostages to be released this morning, alongside Matan Angrest, 22; twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 28; Alon Ohel, 24; Eitan Mor, 25; and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24.

They were followed by a second group of 13 living hostages, who have also finally arrived in Israel after more than two years in captivity.

The second group to return home included: Matan Zangauker, 25; Nimrod Cohen, 21; Ariel Cunio, 28; David Cunio, 35; Evyatar David, 24; Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Elkana Bohbot, 36; Avinatan Or, 32; Bar Kupershtein, 23; Segev Kalfon, 27; Rom Braslabski, 21; Eitan Horn, 38; and Maxim Herkin, 37.

Alon, Guy and Omri were flown by Israeli Air Force helicopters to hospital after an initial medical evaluation, the military said.

The bodies of 28 deceased hostages will be handed over later, a Hamas official said, as a task force works to locate their missing remains. 

The U.S. president arrived in Israel this morning, where he will soon deliver a historic speech to the Knesset before heading to Egypt for an international peace summit geared towards ending the war in Gaza. 

Trump signed the Knesset guest book and wrote: ‘It is a great honour for me. This is a beautiful day. A new beginning.’ 

Speaking to reporters earlier on Air Force One as he made his way to Israel, the president said: ‘The war is over.’

‘People are tired of it, it’s been centuries, not just recent’ he said. ‘The ceasefire will hold, we’re going to make sure it holds.’

Families and friends of the hostages broke out into wild cheers as Israeli television channels announced that their loved ones were being released. 

Tens of thousands of Israelis were also watching the transfers at public screenings across the country, with a major event being held in Tel Aviv. 

British-Israeli Emily Damari, freed from captivity last January, was seen watching her best friends Gali and Ziv being released in a private viewing session with close family and friends.

She was sat beside Romi Gonen who was held with her for much of their time in captivity.

Now the loved ones of the remaining 14 are waiting anxiously.

Dozens of friends of Evyatar David have been gathered together near Tel Aviv since 8am on Sunday and have not slept.

Yuval Ovadia, 24, student from Tel Aviv, told the Daily Mail: ‘I have been here since 8am. It’s such a stressful time, so having everyone together helps

‘It’s friends from all around – we met because of this situation.’

Guy Melamed, 24, student from Zippori, northern Israel, said: ‘Some of us have been here since we heard the news at 8am yesterday. We knew it was happening in the next 24 hours so we said we need to meet up.

‘We needed to be together to be here for each other. As much as you want to fall asleep, it’s the anticipation. It’s just too much – two years we have been waiting for this moment.

‘It’s very exciting.’

Evyatar was due for release last January but was instead cruelly forced to watch others released before being taken back into captivity.

Hamas then released horrifying footage of his starved body as he was forced to dig his own grave in a tunnel in Gaza.