Israel Reaches Gaza Ceasefire Deal: 20 Living Hostages and 26 Bodies Returned
Israel confirms the return of 20 living hostages and 26 bodies under a Gaza ceasefire agreement, as families await more details amid ongoing regional tensions.
The Israeli military says 20 living hostages and the bodies of 26 deceased captives have been handed over by Hamas as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The exchange arrives amid a high-stakes, ongoing confrontation that has drawn international attention and raised questions about the path to resolution.
According to officials, 48 hostages remained in Gaza as of 13 October, with 28 believed to be dead. The broader conflict began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, triggering a large-scale military operation and a heavy toll on civilians on both sides.
Living hostages released under the ceasefire
Gali and Ziv Berman, twin brothers from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, were among those freed after being held for weeks. Their family later learned of their safety through early-2025 releases.
Ariel Cunio, 28, was taken from Nir Oz during the initial assault. His family says recent releases confirmed his continued survival, with his partner freed in January 2025.
Ariel’s brother Eitan Cunio, 35, was also kidnapped from Nir Oz; his wife and young children were released during an earlier ceasefire.
Avinatan Or, 32, was seized at the festival alongside his partner. He received public updates after several hostages were freed in the interim ceasefire periods.
Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25, was at the Nova music festival when abduction occurred. He was later shown with his family in released footage and is now back with relatives.
Maxim Herkin, 37, a dual Israeli-Russian national, was among those tracked in captivity and later confirmed released through the ceasefire process.
Ronen Engel, 54, a Nir Oz resident, was seized during the attack; his death in captivity was confirmed after earlier reassurances from released relatives.
Other released captives include several young men and women who had been held in unknown conditions for weeks or months. Families say the new information provides some closure, but many details about the remaining hostages remain unclear.
Hostages whose bodies have been returned
Bipin Joshi, 23, a Nepalese student, was abducted from Kibbutz Alumim. His body was among those returned following the ceasefire deal.