Seven hostages released from Hamas captivity

The group includes several of the young men abducted from the Nova music festival, as well as others kidnapped from nearby kibbutzim.

By Jewish Breaking News

In a moment Israel has prayed for over two years, seven Israeli hostages were released early Monday morning from Gaza, marking the first group freed under the new cease-fire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

The freed captives are Alon Ohel, Matan Angrest, brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, Eitan Mor, Omri Miren, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal — all taken from southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during Hamas’s brutal attack that killed over 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 253 others.

The release took place at Re’im Base, near the Gaza border, where families and medical teams awaited the return of their loved ones after 737 days of captivity.

The group includes several of the young men abducted from the Nova music festival, as well as others kidnapped from nearby kibbutzim.

Guy Gilboa-Dalal (22), who was seized from the Nova festival alongside his friend Evyatar David, was seen alive months ago by a rescued hostage who described the hostages’ severe abuse and deprivation.

Guy and Evyatar were reportedly taunted by their captors, forced to watch other hostages being freed from a distance. Guy, who taught himself Japanese and dreamed of visiting Japan, returns home to a family that kept their sukkah standing all year, filled with photos of him.

Omri Miren, abducted from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, leaves behind a moving symbol of hope: his wife Lishay shared a photo last night of their daughters Roni (4) and Alma (2) standing by two suitcases in pink shirts, writing, “Prepared and ready for Daddy Omri.”

Alon Ohel, a student was taken while attending the festival with friends. His mother, Dana Ohel, became one of the most recognized figures in the hostage families movement, tirelessly advocating for his return.

Matan Angrest, a passionate music lover and volunteer medic, was also kidnapped from Nova. His family organized dozens of rallies and public campaigns demanding action for the hostages.

Brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, both in their twenties, were abducted together and spent every day of their captivity side by side — their release together today a moment of relief and poetic justice for their family.

Eitan Mor, 23, from Kibbutz Re’im, was one of the last to be identified among the captives. His family kept his room untouched for nearly two years, refusing to give up hope.

Under the first phase of the new deal, 20 living hostages are to be freed, along with the bodies of 28 others, in exchange for a partial IDF withdrawal and the release of 250 terrorists serving life sentences and 1,700 Palestinians detained since October 7.

As dawn broke over Israel, families wept and embraced, their tears mixing relief with grief for those still held behind.

For the first time in 737 days, seven Israeli hostages have come home — a fragile but powerful glimmer of light in a long, dark tunnel.