All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas after two years in captivity, amid emotional scenes in Tel Aviv and praise for U.S. President Donald Trump’s role in brokering the ceasefire deal.
Hamas has released the last 20 known living Israeli hostages after more than 700 days in captivity, handing them to the Red Cross in Gaza under a U.S.-brokered agreement. The release marks a dramatic turning point in a conflict that began with Hamas’s 7 October 2023 assault on Israel.
The hostages, all men, were reunited with families on Monday with the help of the Israeli army. Footage of the moment some made video calls to their families was shared live to an estimated 65,000 people gathered in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and broadcast nationwide.
Among those freed was 48-year-old Omri Miran, who was abducted from his home in Nahal Oz during the October 2023 attacks. “This is not a personal victory but a victory of an entire people,” his family said in a statement.
The release was part of a wider exchange that will see Israel release 1,718 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences. The final group of 13 living hostages was handed over shortly before 11:00 local time, following an earlier transfer of seven.
The prisoner release is due to be followed by the repatriation of 28 deceased hostages. Many of their families had gathered daily for two years at Hostages Square, located opposite Israel’s military headquarters.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who is credited with mediating the truce, arrived in Israel on Monday morning and flew over the Tel Aviv crowd en route to the Knesset in Jerusalem, where he is scheduled to address parliament. Trump signed the Knesset guest book calling the day “a new beginning” and later said: “As far as I’m concerned, the war is over.”
Families of hostages praised Trump’s involvement. The family of Matan Angrest, a soldier captured near Gaza, said: “A huge, historic, eternal thank you to the president of the United States and his team… Our Matan is home.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the release “the first, crucial phase in ending the war,” pledging additional UK humanitarian aid for Gaza. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also praised Trump’s efforts, describing the event as a “crucial milestone towards peace.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the return of the hostages, saying: “We are waiting for everyone – every last one.”
Under the agreement, Israel will carry out a limited military withdrawal from parts of Gaza. Further steps in the 20-point peace framework, including the future of Hamas and security arrangements in Gaza, remain under negotiation. Trump will next travel to Egypt to co-chair a regional summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
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The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum, due to begin in Baku on Sunday (17 May), is an ideal opportunity for Azerbaijan to show the world what successful post-conflict urban development looks like, a representative for the conference has said.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
Central Asia is entering a period of acute water stress as glacier melt accelerates and ageing infrastructure wastes up to 40% of water supplies, fuelling concerns over food security and regional stability.
A U.S. Department of Justice official said Washington was preparing to indict former Cuban president Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 downing of aircraft operated by "Brothers to the Rescue", a Miami-based exile group that conducted search-and-rescue flights for Cuban migrants.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
When Donald Trump boarded Air Force One for Beijing on Tuesday, he brought two cabinet members whose presence in China would have seemed unlikely a year ago, highlighting an unusual moment in U.S.–China relations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
A new trilateral energy partnership involving Uzbekneftegaz, Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and BP has been announced during Uzbekistan Energy Week 2026 in Tashkent.
The Eurovision Song Contest opened in Vienna on Tuesday amid heightened political tensions, as Israel competed in the first semi-final despite a boycott by five European broadcasters over the war in Gaza.
Uzbekistan has launched a nationwide environmental initiative titled ‘Day Without Cars’, which will take place twice a month as part of efforts to improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Central Asia is entering a period of acute water stress as glacier melt accelerates and ageing infrastructure wastes up to 40% of water supplies, fuelling concerns over food security and regional stability.
Baku is hosting the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), bringing together political leaders, urban planners, architects and development experts as cities worldwide face mounting pressure from climate change, rapid urbanisation and housing shortages.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is participating in the informal summit of the heads of state of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, on 15 May. The summit focuses on regional cooperation, digital development and transport connectivity.
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