By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, a moment many feared would never come. All 20 living Israeli hostages are finally back home.
737 days. That’s how long these hostages have been held in Gaza. The 20 who returned alive were among the 251 kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023.
A convoy of coffins containing the remains of deceased hostages returned to Israel late Monday, just hours after an emotional and joyful homecoming for the survivors.
Some hostages were brought to a medical center in Tel Aviv. At nearby Hostages Square, thousands celebrated a homecoming two years in the making — a homecoming many worried would never come.
“The hostages are back,” said President Trump, while addressing Israel’s Knesset Monday morning.
Their return is celebrated across the globe and across the aisle in Washington.
“The nightmare finally ends. May the hostages have a full recovery and may we never forget those who didn’t make it out alive. Credit to @POTUS for a breakthrough ceasefire of this awful war,” said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., on social media.
“The world owes a debt of gratitude to President Trump, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Marco Rubio and all the negotiators in the region for this outcome. Yet, this is also a solemn day for the hostage families whose loved ones will not return alive. We pray that today marks the beginning of a new chapter of peace,” said Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa.
“I am filled with relief and joy seeing 20 hostages rejoin their families after two long years of anguish, and I pray for their healing. While we celebrate their freedom, I hold in my heart the 28 families who still await the return of the remains of their loved ones,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
“President Trump promised he would never forget them or stop fighting until they all returned home. Today, every remaining living hostage was freed,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., on social media. “America is so proud of our President.”
President Donald Trump, who helped broker the ceasefire, received a warm welcome in Israel early Monday. Standing beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump called the day “a historic dawn” for the Middle East.
“After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger. Today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity,” said Trump.
The president then traveled to Egypt for a summit with world leaders to sign the historic Gaza peace deal.
Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were also released as part of Phase One of the deal. But now, questions remain over when and how Phase Two will begin.
“Together, let us continue in the spirit of cooperation and goodwill that has finally brought us to this incredible, historic breakthrough,” said Trump.
In Gaza, the United Nations says aid is ramping up with about 190,000 metric tons of humanitarian assistance approved to be delivered. According to UNICEF, 600 trucks a day will deliver food, cooking gas, medical supplies and equipment to rebuild critical infrastructure.
