Hostages who had been held by Hamas for more than two years finally returned to their families in Israel on Monday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) posted images and video on X of hostages emotionally reuniting with their loved ones, as part of the first phase of the cease-fire between the terror group and the Jewish state.
💛 Watch the moment Eitan Mor reunites with his parents: pic.twitter.com/mKajWRBumU
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 13, 2025
Eitan Mor was seen embracing his parents, both wearing Israeli flags around their shoulders, in a short clip posted on the social media platform.
Mor was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists when they descended upon the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, 2023.
“In praise and thanksgiving to God, we are happy to announce that our Eitan is home!” said a statement from the Mor family, shared on X by the Bring Them Home Now campaign.
“Our beloved Eitan, how we waited for you, how we waited to see you finally after two years. We saw you for the last time today, on Hoshana Rabbah, two years ago, and we embrace you today back into the family.”
The family also thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump, and the IDF for bringing their son home.
Numerous other families issued similar statements of thanks following the return of their loved ones.
Mor is one of 20 surviving hostages handed over by Hamas in the first phase of the cease-fire deal.
Others released on Oct. 13 include Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Elkana Bohbot, Maxim Herkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Angrest, Matan Zangauker, Eitan Horn, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavski, Ariel Cunio, and David Cunio.
No women were among the living hostages.
“Today, after 738 days, the last 20 living hostages have come home,” IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said. “This is a defining moment. A moment that belongs to the people of Israel and to all those who believe in humanity.”
“Today, after seven hundred and thirty-eight days, the last 20 living hostages have come home.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 13, 2025
This is a defining moment.
A moment that belongs to the people of Israel and to all those who believe in humanity.”
🎥WATCH: IDF Spox., BG Effie Defrin, as Israel celebrates the… pic.twitter.com/aUQSiRN4p3
An international task force will work to locate any of the 28 deceased hostages who are not returned by Hamas within 72 hours, said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and the missing.
The hostages were brought back as part of “Operation Returning Home,” and they arrived on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.
In exchange for the hostages, more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners were released as part of the cease-fire deal.
The conflict began in October 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists crossed the border into Israel and killed 1,200 people, before abducting 251 people and transporting them back to Gaza, where they were held captive.
By Guy Birchall
