Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his spouse, Sara Netanyahu, offered a heartfelt and personal welcome to the initial group of Israeli hostages freed by the Palestinian organization Hamas, as part of a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the United States.
The couple included a handwritten message in Hebrew within welcome kits prepared for the returning individuals, which stated: “On behalf of the entire people of Israel, welcome back! We have been waiting for you. We embrace you. Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu.”
The Prime Minister’s office, which posted an image of the note on X, confirmed that the welcome packages include essential personal items such as new clothing, a mobile phone, a tablet, and a laptop.
The first phase of the ceasefire has ensured the release of 20 Israeli hostages, who had been detained in Gaza for over two years following the deadly Hamas assault on Israeli towns on October 7, 2023. This initial attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the capture of more than 250 hostages.
Among those released in the first exchange were Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Elkana Bohbot, Maxim Herkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Angrest, Matan Zangauker, Eitan Horn, Eitan Abraham Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavski, Ariel Cunio, and David Cunio.
Trump’s peace roadmap
The release marks the initial step in a more extensive roadmap proposed by US President Donald Trump, who stated earlier today that the “war is over” in Gaza.
The plan outlined the eventual transfer of all 47 hostages—both living and deceased—still held by the militant group. Following the transfer of the surviving hostages, Israel consented to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. The process of exchanging hostages and prisoners has now been finalized.
After his visit to Israel, Trump is set to proceed to Egypt to co-host a summit alongside President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This summit will convene over 20 world leaders to endorse the US initiative, which proposes substituting Israeli forces during a partial withdrawal from Gaza with a multinational force managed by a US-led command center located in Israel.
The conflict has deep roots, with significant hostilities erupting on several occasions since Hamas secured victory in the parliamentary elections and assumed control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. Israel’s retaliatory actions following the attack on October 7, 2023, have resulted in the displacement of nearly 2 million individuals and extensive destruction.
