The release of hostages began on Monday morning at 8:00 a.m.
A source familiar with the details told the newspaper Al-Sharq that Hamas informed the International Committee of the Red Cross that the handover of the hostages will take place from three different locations in the Gaza Strip.
The source noted that Hamas will determine the exact times and notify the Red Cross of the handover locations.
The hostages' families have begun heading to Re’im military base in preparation to meet their loved ones.
An Israeli official estimated that the release will occur in two stages, with some hostages freed at 8:00 a.m. and the second group at 9:00 a.m.
Following the return of the living hostages, the Red Cross will re-enter Gaza to collect the remains of those who died in captivity.
According to the terms of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, the terrorist group is expected to return 28 bodies. Israeli officials estimate that only about half will be transferred on Monday.
Live updates:
5:03 p.m.: The Hostages Families Forum is calling for the immediate suspension of all agreement implementation until every deceased individual is returned.
"Hamas’s violation of the agreement must be met with a very serious response from the government and the mediators," the forum stated."
They insisted that "an agreement must be honored by both sides. If Hamas does not fulfill their part, Israel should not fulfill its part either. We demand all 28 hostages back. We will not give up on anyone, until the last hostage is returned."
4:45 p.m.: In the past few minutes, the returning hostages Matan Zangauker, Maxim Herkin, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Evyatar David, Eitan Horn, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Elkana Bohbot, and Rom Braslavski were airlifted by IAF helicopters to hospitals, accompanied by their family members.
The returned hostages have undergone an initial medical assessment and are now on their way to hospitals, where they will reunite with the rest of their family members and receive continued medical care
4:27 p.m.: Idit Ohel, the mother of Alon Ohel, who was released today from captivity after 738 days, said in an interview with Channel 12 News that her son cannot see out of one eye.
"His eye, as we know, he doesn’t see very well with it. It’s very blurry. He hasn’t undergone comprehensive tests yet, but he can’t see with his right eye," she said. "Alon talked a lot about Eli (Sharabi). We haven’t spoken with anyone yet-we haven’t had the chance-but it will come. From what I understand, only in the last 48 hours did he know he was being released. He didn’t know before. He sensed that something was happening, but only two days ago they were told they were going home."
3:58 p.m.: Videos show Yosef-Chaim Ohana's emotional reunion with his family.
3:21 p.m.: The IDF has reported: "In the past few minutes, the returning hostages, Nimrod Cohen, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, and Bar Kupershtein, were airlifted by IAF helicopters to hospitals, accompanied by their family members."
"The returned hostages have undergone an initial medical assessment and are now on their way to hospitals, where they will reunite with the rest of their family members and receive continued medical care."
2:47 p.m.: After two years in Gaza, Eitan Horn meets IDF representatives.
2:27 p.m.: 27 are reported dead in fierce Hamas-clan fighting in Gaza City, after fighting erupted near the Jordanian hospital as Hamas units sought to detain armed family members. The group said it was restoring order, while the clan accused Hamas of trying to seize their shelters.
2:05 p.m.: Guy Gilboa Dalal reunites with his family
2:03 p.m.: Eitan Mor reunites with his parents
1:47 p.m.: Einav and Matan Zangauker reunited
1:45 p.m.: Eitan Mor reunited with his family
1:44 p.m.: Egyptian sources have stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu will not take part in the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh for religious reasons.
1:33 p.m.: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Hamas officials directly to overcome long-standing deadlocks in the negotiations.
12:48 p.m.: Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with released hostage Alon Ohel - a talented pianist - and invited him to play the piano at the President’s Residence.
12:35 p.m.: MK Ohad Tal thanked PM Netanyahu and President Trump for their roles in securing the release, emphasizing Israel’s determination not to accept partial deals and warning that Hamas must be dismantled to ensure Gaza no longer threatens Israel.
12:14 p.m.: Egyptian sources have confirmed that Prime Minister Netanyahu and PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas will join the upcoming summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
12:08 p.m.: The Commissioner of Prisons, Major General Kobi Ya'acobi, received approval from the politicians to begin implementing the release of the terrorists from prison.
12:03 p.m.: The second group of hostages has arrived in Israel; there are no longer any living hostages in Gaza.
11:46 a.m.: The IDF and ISA have confirmed: "13 returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and ISA forces on their return to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment."
"The commanders and soldiers of the IDF salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel.
"The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit asks the public to act responsibly and with sensitivity, to respect the privacy of the returning hostages, and to rely solely on official information."
11:43 a.m.: The 13 hostages released in the second group have been transferred to the IDF.
11:28 a.m.: The IDF and ISA have confirmed: "According to information provided by the Red Cross, 13 hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip."
11:15 a.m.: Some of the bodies of deceased hostages will be returned to Israel on Monday afternoon, reports said.
10:51 a.m.: The 13 remaining hostages have been handed over to the Red Cross. Hamas is still holding the bodies of 28 deceased hostages.
10:41 a.m.: Guy Gilboa-Dalal, in a first photo after he arrived in Israel.
10:37 a.m.: Ditza Or, mother of hostages Avinatan Or, is waiting at the Re'im reception center with Noa Argamani, Avinatan's girlfriend who was rescued from Hamas captivity during last year's Operation Arnon.
10:36 a.m.: Hostage Bar Kupershtein is reunited with his mother.
10:34 a.m.: The Red Cross has received the second group of released hostages.
10:31 a.m.: The first photos of some of the hostages after their arrival in Israel have been released.
10:25 a.m.: The IDF has released footage of the returning hostages' arrival in Israel. Watch.
10:22 a.m.: Asharq Al-Awsat has reported that the release of the second group of hostages has begun.
10:03 a.m.: The IDF and ISA have reported: "Personnel from the IDF Manpower Directorate and IDF medical teams are accompanying Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Omri Miran and Matan Angrest, who will undergo an initial medical evaluation, and will reunite with their families at the initial reception point in southern Israel."
"IDF representatives are accompanying all family members who are waiting at the hospital and continue to provide them with ongoing updates. The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
9:59 a.m.: The IDF has announced: "According to information received, the Red Cross is on its way to an additional meeting point in the southern Gaza Strip, where several hostages will be handed over to the Red Cross."
9:55 a.m.: Hostage Elkana Bohbot speaks with his family while standing beside a Hamas terrorist. 'Everything is okay.'
9:50 a.m.: Al-Araby has reported that Hamas' military arm will soon release 13 Israeli hostages in southern Gaza.
9:46 a.m.: The Israeli government has issued a statement announcing the returning hostages and welcoming them home.
9:38 a.m.: Second group of hostages to be transferred within half an hour
9:35 a.m.:The IDF and ISA have announced that the seven released hostages are now in Israeli territory.
"The returning hostages, Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Omri Miran and Matan Angrest, accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, crossed the border into the State of Israel a short while ago," the statement said. "They are currently on their way to the initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will reunite with their families."
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
9:26 a.m.: The doctors who examined hostage Eitan Mor at the scene have informed his family that his condition is normal.
9:18 a.m.:The videos calls in which hostages spoke with their family members were facilitated by Hamas, which reached out to the families. The hostages in question are those still in captivity.
Unlike in previous hostage releases, Hamas is now allowing the hostages to contact their families prior to being released.
9:11 a.m.:The IDF and ISA have announced that seven returning hostages are making their way towards Israeli territory.
"Seven returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and ISA forces on their return to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment," a statement read. "The commanders and soldiers of the IDF salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel."
"The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit asks the public to act responsibly and with sensitivity, to respect the privacy of the returning hostages, and to rely solely on official information.
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
9:00 a.m.: The IDF has received the seven newly-released hostages. Channel 12 reports that their families have spoken to them on the phone.
8:58 a.m.: The families of released hostages have received the first photos of their loved ones.
8:56 a.m.: The Prime Minister's spokeswoman has announced the official return of the hostages. Watch.
8:50 a.m.: The IDF and ISA have confirmed: "According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven hostages have been transferred into their custody, and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip."
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
8:48 a.m.: All of the hostages are in Red Cross vehicles and making their way towards the IDF soldiers waiting to receive them. All entered the vehicles independently. The trip is expected to take up to half an hour.
8:42 a.m.: The IDF is waiting in Gaza to receive the seven released hostages; delays are reported.
8:35 a.m.: IDF helicopters take off for Re'im, where the hostages will undergo initial medical examinations and meet their families.
8:34 a.m.: Al-Araby has reported that three Red Cross vehicles received the hostages from Hamas in Gaza City.
8:32 a.m.: The seven released hostages have been transferred to the IDF.
8:25 a.m.: US President Donald Trump is watching the hostage release live on Air Force 1.
8:24 a.m.: Al Jazeera has reported that additional hostages will be released at 10:00 a.m. from southern Gaza.
8:21 a.m.: Hamas has announced the release of the first group of hostages, Channel 12 reported. In a statement, Hamas declared, "We declare our commitment to the agreement reached and the timetables related to it, so long as Israel keeps to them."
8:13 a.m.: The seven hostages release in the first group are Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Alon Ohel, Matan Angrest, and Omri Miran.
8:05 a.m.: Seven Israeli hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross, all are walking independently and in "okay" condition.
8:04 a.m.: The Red Cross has confirmed that the hostage release has begun.
7:47 a.m.: The IDF has reported: "According to information received, the Red Cross is on its way to a meeting point in the northern Gaza Strip where several hostages will be transferred into their custody."
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on."
7:35 a.m.: Among those expected to be released in the first group are hostages Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, and Alon Ohel.
7:29 a.m.:IAF completes preparations for receiving hostages returning from Gaza.
7:28 a.m.: In every Red Cross vehicle, there will be two released hostages.
7:22 a.m.: The Red Cross is making its way toward the first pick-up point, to collect some of the hostages.
7:17 a.m.: The first helicopter has arrived at Re'im, where the hostages will be received.
7:08 a.m.: Hamas has published the list of living hostages to be released. The list includes 20 hostages, and is the same list known already to Israel. Tamir Nimrodi, regarding whom there was concern that he is no longer alive, does not appear on the list.
The list includes: Bar Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef Haim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Elkana Bohbot, Maxim Herkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Zangauker, David Cunio, Eitan Horn, Matan Angrest, Eitan Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavsky, and Ariel Cunio.
Groups of Israelis have gathered at the homes of the hostages to be released, as well as at Hostages Square. At the site of the Nova massacre, a festive prayer service is being held, led by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu.
