https://news.sky.com/story/israel-says-first-seven-hostages-handed-to-red-cross-13448949
Hamas has handed over all 20 surviving hostages being held in Gaza - with President Trump heralding the moment as the "historic dawn of a new Middle East".

The remaining Israelis were exchanged for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners after being held in the tunnels of Gaza for more than two years.

Hamas initially handed over seven hostages to the Red Cross, before releasing the other 13 for emotional reunions with their families.

They were then flown to a special "homecoming" hospital where they will be allowed to recover in private.

Tens of thousands of Israelis watched the moment the hostages were finally freed at public screenings across the country.
Families and friends cheered as TV channels announced the hostages were safely in the hands of the Red Cross.

The 20 released are all men aged between 20 and 48, some taken from their homes and others from the Nova music festival during the October 2023 terror attack.

Israel previously said 20 of the 251 kidnapped were thought to still be alive in Gaza - as well as the remains of 28 who died.

Coffins of two of the dead have been released to the Red Cross - with two more to follow, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday evening. All of the deceased must be handed over under the terms of the agreement. Other hostages had been released as part of previous short-lived deals.

As part of the first phase of Donald Trump's ceasefire agreement, Hamas was given 72 hours to release all the hostages, alive and dead.

The ceasefire started on Friday, with tens of thousands of Palestinians walking many miles back to northern Gaza. Drone footage has revealed the destruction wrought by two years of Israeli attacks, with neighbourhoods flattened and countless buildings turned to rubble.