(LONDON) -- The families of the living hostages released by Hamas are reacting following their release from captivity after being held for over two years.
Hamas released a total of 20 living Israeli hostages in two separate groups to the International Committee of the Red Cross inside Gaza. The organization then delivered the hostages to the Israeli Defense Forces, who transferred them to a southern Israel military base before going to hospitals in Tel Aviv.
The final 20 living hostages have been identified by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office as: David and Ariel Kunio, Avinan Or, Elkana Buhbot, Rom Breslavsky, David Avitar, Eitan Horn, Maxim Harkin, Nimrod Cohen, Segev Kalfon, Matan Tsengauker, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Bar Kuperstein, Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Omri Miran, Matan Angrest and Ziv and Gali Berman.
The release of the hostages sparked celebrations across Israel, and photos show the long-awaited reunions of those held hostage with their loved ones.
Avinatan Or, among the hostages released from Gaza on Monday, has reunited with his girlfriend, former hostage Noa Argamani. Or was seen kissing a beaming Argamani on her cheek in a newly released photo.
Or and Argamani were both kidnapped at the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and were immediately separated. Argamani was rescued from Gaza last year.
Eitan Mor, Matan Zangauker, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Maxim Herkin, Bar Kupershtein and Evyatar David were also among the hostages released on Monday.
Photos captured the joyous moments of them being reunited with their loved ones.
The family of Omri Miran released 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 from Roni and Alma a healing embrace," Miran's family said of his two little girls, ages 2 and 4.
"We want to thank the people of Israel from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us in the darkest hours and on days when this moment seemed like a distant and impossible wish. This moment, today, is not a personal victory but a victory of an entire people."
Eitan Mor’s family also released 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 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 statement said.
Mor was seen arriving at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Hostage Families Forum says they have learned that only 4 of the 28 bodies of hostages still believed to be in Gaza will be returned on Monday and are accusing Hamas of violating the deal, saying "we expect Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice."
"The hostage families were shocked and dismayed to learn that only 4 bodies of deceased hostages will be returned today, out of 28 held by Hamas," the statement said. "This represents a blatant breach of the agreement by Hamas. We expect Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice.
"The families of the deceased hostages are enduring especially difficult days filled with deep sorrow," the statement continued. "We will not abandon any hostage. The mediators must enforce the agreement’s terms and ensure Hamas pays a price for this violation."
Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.