A severely emaciated Israeli hostage who was forced to dig his own grave in a harrowing propaganda video has been reunited with his family in emotional scenes, as the final 20 living captives returned home after more than two years in Hamas hands.
Evyatar David, 24, a café shift manager from Kfar Saba, was among the survivors released after 738 days of captivity, bringing to a close one of the darkest chapters in Israel’s history. David and fellow hostage Rom Braslavski, 21, had sparked international outrage in August when Hamas released propaganda footage showing them severely malnourished and weak.
In the disturbing video, David appeared extremely thin and was filmed scraping at dirt with a shovel in a cramped Gaza tunnel as he spoke about digging his own grave. Physicians and nutritionists estimated he had lost more than 50 percent of his body weight.
David’s family released a statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum saying the new journey of healing would now begin. Footage taken after his release showed both David and Braslavski able to walk unaided, bringing welcomed relief to their families.
The mass release unfolded in two stages throughout Monday, with Hamas handing over seven hostages in the early morning before transferring the remaining 13 to Red Cross custody hours later. Thousands of Israelis gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to watch the emotional scenes unfold on giant screens.
Among those freed was Alon Ohel, 24, a musician and pianist who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. Childhood best friends Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, who were taken together from the festival, were finally reunited with their families. Twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 28, from Kibbutz Kfar Aza who ran a sound and lighting company together, also returned home after the longest time they had ever spent apart.
Another freed hostage, Avinatan Or, was reunited with his girlfriend Noa Argamani, who had been rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024. The pair were kidnapped together from the Nova festival in footage that became one of the defining images of the October 7 attacks.
Trump Hails ‘Dawn of New Middle East’ in Triumphant Knesset Address
US President Donald Trump received a hero’s welcome at the Israeli parliament, where he declared the historic moment marked the end of an era of terror and the beginning of lasting peace. Speaking to Israeli lawmakers, Trump proclaimed the skies were calm, guns were silent, and the sun rose on a Holy Land that was finally at peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump as the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House, telling the Knesset that no American president has ever done more for the nation. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana hailed Trump as the best friend Israel has ever had, with lawmakers repeatedly chanting the president’s name.
The triumphant atmosphere was briefly interrupted when two Arab lawmakers staged a protest. Arab lawmaker Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif held up signs reading “Recognise Palestine” before being escorted from the chamber.
In an unexpected moment, Trump urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu of corruption charges, saying the premier was “not the easiest guy” but asking, “Who cares about cigars and champagne?” The comment prompted a standing ovation from many in the forum.
Nearly 2,000 Palestinian Prisoners Released in Exchange
In exchange for the 20 living hostages, Israel released more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and approximately 1,700 detainees from Gaza held without charge since October 7, 2023.
At least 154 of the released Palestinian prisoners were forced into exile by Israel and deported to third countries, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office. Relatives of some prisoners expressed shock at learning their loved ones would not return home but instead face deportation.
Among those freed was Raed Sheikh, a former Palestinian police officer sentenced to two life terms for his role in the 2000 lynching of two Israeli reserve soldiers in Ramallah. Defence officials warned that many released prisoners could rise to senior positions in Hamas and Fatah, with one senior official telling Israeli media they were essentially releasing the next generation of militant leaders.
Large crowds gathered in Ramallah and other West Bank cities to welcome the returning prisoners with cheers and celebrations.
Bodies of Four Deceased Hostages Handed Over
Hamas confirmed it would hand over the bodies of four of the 28 deceased Israeli hostages, though it remains unclear when the remaining bodies will be returned. The terror group had initially agreed to transfer all deceased hostages on Monday.
An international task force will work to locate deceased hostages not returned within 72 hours, according to Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and missing.
Trump Jets to Egypt for Historic Peace Summit
Following his address to the Knesset, Trump departed for Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh resort to co-chair an international peace summit alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The summit brought together leaders from more than 20 countries, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Neither Israel nor Hamas was invited to attend the summit, with sources confirming the absence of both parties. Trump had brokered an invitation for Netanyahu to attend during their car journey from Ben Gurion Airport to the Knesset, but the Israeli premier declined, citing a Jewish holiday.
Egyptian President el-Sisi announced he would award Trump the Nile Collar, Egypt’s highest state honour, in appreciation of his pivotal role in halting the Gaza war. Israeli President Herzog also announced plans to award Trump the Presidential Medal of Honour, Israel’s highest civilian award.
The summit aims to finalise Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the region, which envisions Gaza’s reconstruction, the establishment of new governance mechanisms, and the eventual disarmament of Hamas.
The war has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, destroyed large swaths of the territory, and displaced approximately 90 percent of its two million residents. Humanitarian aid has begun flowing into Gaza under the ceasefire terms, with hundreds of trucks carrying food, water, medicine, and shelter supplies entering the devastated enclave.
The historic ceasefire marks the end of Israel’s deadliest conflict with Hamas since the militant group’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 people taken hostage.
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