Emotional videos emerge of Israeli hostages reuniting with families after 737 days
All 20 living hostages have now been released by Hamas
Families of freed Israeli hostages finally embraced their loved ones today in emotional scenes as they reunited after more than 700 days apart.
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All 20 living hostages have now been freed by Hamas after spending what Donald Trump described as “two harrowing years in darkness and captivity”.
Some broke into floods of tears as they met with their closest family members at a military base in southern Israel after 737 days in Hamas’ hellish conditions.
Others beamed with relief and joy as their loved ones cheered and hugged amid the emotional celebrations.
Moving footage shows Eitan Mor sharing a strong hug with his mother and father the moment the family was finally reunited.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal's family jumped up and down for joy as they all rushed to hug the 24-year-old who was taken by Hamas on October 7,
Omri Miran,48, who was abducted from his home in Nahal Oz on October 7 was seen gripping his wife Lishay in a tight embrace as tears streamed down his face.
Earlier, he video called his two daughters Roni, 4, and Alma, 2, from the IDF base and was pictured with a huge grin on his face.
Read more: Donald Trump hails ‘golden age’ for Israel as freed Gaza hostages reunite with families
Alma, who was only six months old when her dad was taken hostage, has since learned how to say 'Abba' - Daddy' - in Hebrew.
Meanwhile, Ziv Berman, 28, was seen hanging out of an Israeli helicopter pumping his fist in the air in celebration.
He was finally reunited with his twin brother Gali, who was also held hostage but separately from Ziv. The twins were pictured sharing an emotional and teary embrace after being released by Hamas.
Rom Broslavski, 21, Nimrod Cohen, 21, and Eitan Horn, 38, were also among the hostages handed back to Israel.
Moving footage shows them weeping as they are greeted by Israeli Defence Force soldiers just moments after being returned.
Alon Ohel, 24, was also pictured looking elated as photographers captured the stunning moment he was freed.
Other hostages released today include Matan Angrest, 22, Eitan Mor, 25, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24.
They were followed by a second group of 13 living hostages, which included Matan Zangauker, 25, Nimrod Cohen, 21, Ariel Cunio, 28, David Cunio, 35, and Evyatar David, 24.
Joining them was Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Elkana Bohbot, 36, Avinatan Or, 32, Bar Kupershtein, 23, Segev Kalfon, 27, Rom Braslabski, 21, Eitan Horn, 38, and Maxim Herkin, 37.
The release of hostages was a crucial part of the first phase of Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza.
Israel has also begun releasing some of the Palestinian 1,950 prisoners and detainees it has said it will free as part of the deal.
Speaking from the Israeli parliament, US President Donald Trump: “After two harrowing years in darkness andcaptivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families. Twenty-eight more precious loved ones are coming home at last to rest in this sacred soil for all of time.”
The past two years have been “a time of war”, he said, before adding, “the coming years will hopefully be a time for peace – peace inside Israel and peace outside of Israel”.