Hamas has agreed to release the remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks as part of a deal linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan to end the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
The militant group said it was ready to hand over captives and transfer power to other Palestinian authorities but noted that wider issues in Trump’s 20-point plan—such as Gaza’s political future—would require further consultation among Palestinians, according to the Associated Press.
Trump’s peace plan and Israel’s stance
At a joint White House press conference on September 29, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly endorsed Trump’s proposal, calling it a pathway to securing Israel’s war aims.
“I support your plan to end the war in Gaza which achieves our war aims. It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities, end its political rule and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu said.
Trump described Hamas’ agreement as a “step toward lasting peace,” though he had earlier threatened harsher military action if the group refused his proposal by Sunday evening.
Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages—around 20 of whom are believed to be alive—within three days. In return, Israel would halt its offensive, withdraw from much of Gaza, release Palestinian prisoners, and allow humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in the Strip.
Who are the hostages set to be released?
The list of hostages includes Israeli civilians, soldiers, dual nationals, and elderly captives. Two are U.S. citizens. Their release is expected to mark one of the most significant breakthroughs since the start of the war.
Here are their names:
- Ariel Cunio (27)
- Alon Ohel (23)
- Eitan Horn (38)
- Avinatan Or (31)
- Elkana Bohbot (35)
- Evyatar David (24)
- Bipin Joshi (24)
- Ziv Berman (27)
- Gali Berman (27)
- David Cunio (34)
- Eitan Mor (24)
- Maxim Herkin (36)
- Omri Miran (47)
- Bar Abraham Kupershtein (23)
- Guy Gilboa-Dalal (23)
- Nimrod Cohen (20)
- Matan Zangauker (25)
- Tamir Nimrodi (20)
- Matan Angrest (22)
- Segev Kalfon (27)
- Rom Braslavski (21)
- Yosef-Haim Ohana (24)
- Itay Chen (19) – U.S. citizen
- Eliyahu Margalit (75)
- Eitan Levi (52)
- Sahar Baruch (24)
- Joshua Luito Mollel (21)
- Tal Haimi (41)
- Arie Zalmanowicz (85)
- Ran Gvili (24)
- Dror Or (48)
- Tamir Adar (38)
- Ronen Engel (54)
- Inbar Hayman (27)
- Guy Iluz (26)
- Asaf Hamami (41)
- Lior Rudaeff (61)
- Muhammad Al-Atarash (39)
- Meny Godard (73)
- Omer Neutra (21) – U.S. citizen
- Yossi Sharabi (53)
- Daniel Oz (19)
- Daniel Perez (22)
- Uriel Baruch (35)
- Sontia Ok’Krasari (30)
- Sontisek Rintalk (43)
- Amiram Cooper (85)
- Hadar Goldin (23)
Why the release matters
For Israel, the safe return of hostages has been a central war aim since the October 2023 attack that killed over 1,200 people and triggered the ongoing conflict. For Hamas, agreeing to the deal could help ease humanitarian pressure on Gaza and reposition the group in Palestinian politics as it cedes control.
The coming days will test whether both sides can move beyond the “first stage” of Trump’s plan toward a longer-term political settlement—something that has eluded the region for decades.