LONDON – Families of live hostages freed by Hamas are reacting following their release from captivity after being held for more than two years.
As part of a monumental ceasefire agreement in Gaza, seven hostages (Eitan Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel and Guy Gilboa-Dalal) were the first to return to Israel.
Omri Miran’s family issued a statement on Monday after he was handed over to IDF troops in the Gaza Strip.
“After more than 700 long, painful and agonizing days, Omri will finally receive a healing hug from Roni and Alma,” Miran’s family said of their two young daughters, ages 2 and 4. “We want to thank the people of Israel from the bottom of our hearts for being by our side in the darkest hours and in the days when this moment seemed like a distant and impossible wish. This moment, today, is not a personal victory but a victory for an entire people.”
“We also want to express our deep gratitude to the security forces and the heroic soldiers of the IDF. We are at the beginning of a complex and challenging, but moving recovery journey,” the statement continued. “We remain committed to the fight, until the last hostage returns and until the complete recovery of our beloved country. May the return of Omri mark the beginning of this recovery and the unity of our people.”
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – OCTOBER 13: People sing songs and cheer in Hostage Square, after it was announced that all living hostages had been freed and returned to Israel on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas ended the two years of war that followed the October 7, 2023 attacks. A condition of the agreement was the immediate return of 48 hostages held in Gaza, about 20 of whom were believed to be alive.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Eitan Mor’s family also issued a statement saying, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
“In praise and thanksgiving to God, we are happy to announce that our Eitan is home! Our beloved Eitan, how we wait for you, how we hope to finally see you after two years. We last saw you today, on Hoshana Rabbah, two years ago, and today we embrace you again in the family,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Hostage Families Forum says they have learned that only 4 of the 28 hostage bodies believed to still be in Gaza will be returned on Monday and accuse Hamas of violating the agreement, saying “we hope that the government of Israel and the mediators will take immediate steps to rectify this grave injustice.”
“The families of the hostages were shocked and dismayed to learn that only 4 bodies of deceased hostages will be returned today, out of the 28 held by Hamas,” the statement said. “This represents a flagrant violation of the agreement by Hamas. We hope that the Israeli government and the mediators will take immediate steps to rectify this grave injustice.
“The families of the deceased hostages are going through especially difficult days full of deep pain,” the statement continued. “We will not abandon any hostage. Mediators must enforce the terms of the agreement and ensure that Hamas pays a price for this violation.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
