Tears, hugs and kisses: Emotional reunions mark return of Israeli hostages, Palestinian prisoners; crowds gather at both sides of Gaza

Israel and the Palestinian territories saw an emotional milestone on Monday as long-awaited reunions unfolded on both sides of the conflict. In Israel, the last of the hostages held by Hamas for more than two years returned home, ending 738 days of captivity since the October 7, 2023, attack.

Twenty surviving hostages were reunited with families amid tearful celebrations in Tel Aviv and other cities.At the same time, Palestinians cheered as Israel released nearly 2,000 prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal, brokered by US President Donald Trump, which involved the exchange of prisoners for Israeli hostages. Crowds gathered in Beitunia in the West Bank and Khan Younis in Gaza, greeting freed prisoners with cheers, V-for-victory signs, and embraces.

The dual reunions marked a rare moment of relief and hope amid ongoing conflict in the region.

Hostages released by Hamas after 2 years' captivity

Tears of joy flowed freely as former hostages ran into the arms of loved ones, many of whom had campaigned tirelessly for their release through public demonstrations, speeches, and meetings with world leaders. Omri Miran, who was abducted when his youngest daughter was six months old, was reunited with his wife and daughters at Re’im base.

“We are in a dream,” said Avi Ohana, father of another freed hostage.Meanwhile, Avinatan Or, one of the hostages released from Gaza on Monday, has reunited with his girlfriend, former captive Noa Argamani. In a newly released photo, Or was seen kissing a smiling Argamani on the cheek, capturing a joyful moment after their long ordeal.

Eitan Horn, 39, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside his brother Yair during the Oct.

7 attack, has now been released. His brother was freed during a ceasefire in February. The family said they would give Eitan “hugs and lots of love” and accompany him through his recovery.

Eitan Mor, Matan Zangauker, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Maxim Herkin, Bar Kupershtein, and Evyatar David were also among those freed from Gaza on Monday.

Freed hostage Matan Zangauker reunited with his mother after spending 738 days in Hamas captivity with visual shared by Israel war room.

The first group of released hostages included Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal. The second group of 13 arrived shortly after, many taken to hospitals by helicopter for medical checkups. Among the notable reunions, Matan Zangauker embraced his mother, Einav, who had protested weekly for his release over the past two years.

Israeli streets overflowed with celebrations as crowds gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, cheering as helicopters carried the freed captives.

Families described the moment as a culmination of relentless hope, resilience, and advocacy that kept the issue alive on national and international stages. US President Donald Trump, who helped broker the ceasefire deal, addressed the Knesset, calling the day “a new beginning” and praised the hostages’ safe return. The release marks a key step in the broader Gaza ceasefire, though questions remain about the future governance of Gaza and the fate of remaining deceased hostages.

Palestinians celebrate prisoners' release

Palestinians erupted in joy on Monday as Israel released nearly 2,000 prisoners under a Gaza ceasefire deal in exchange for Israeli hostages freed by Hamas.

Large crowds gathered in Beitunia in the West Bank and Khan Younis in Gaza, cheering, waving V-for-victory signs, and lifting some of the freed prisoners onto their shoulders. Many received traditional keffiyeh scarves, while others sank into chairs, exhausted after years of captivity.A released prisoner could be seen picking a child from the crowd as the bus full of prisoners reached Gaza.

Those released include around 1,700 Palestinians seized from Gaza during the two-year war and held without charge, along with 250 convicted prisoners. Notable names include: Kamal Abu Shanab, 51, from Tulkarem; Sheikh, 51, a Palestinian police officer and Fatah member sentenced in 2000 for killing two Israeli soldiers; Issa, 57, a Hamas commander imprisoned in 1993 for kidnapping and killing an Israeli border officer; brothers Mohammed, 56, and Abdel Jawad Shamasneh, 62, convicted in 1993 for stabbing attacks on Israeli hitchhikers; and Fatafta, 47, a Fatah member serving a life sentence for stabbing American tourist Kristine Luken and her friend.

Among the 250 convicted, Israel exiled 154 to Egypt for transfer to third countries. The rest returned to Gaza, the West Bank, or east Jerusalem. Freed prisoners ranged from women and teenagers to elderly men over 60.

Celebrations came despite Israeli warnings against supporting “terrorist organizations.” Palestinians cheered, embraced loved ones, and fired celebratory gunfire, marking the return of prisoners as both a joyous reunion and a symbolic moment of resistance, endurance, and hope after years of conflict.