Tel Aviv: In a major breakthrough during ongoing ceasefire negotiations, seven Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released on Sunday, coinciding with US President Donald Trump’s red carpet welcome in Israel for high-level peace talks aimed at stabilising the Gaza region.

The released hostages—Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Omri Miran, and Matan Angrest—were handed over to Israeli authorities and escorted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency across the border. The operation was named “Returning Home” by the IDF. ADVERTISEMENT

The release took place amid a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas, which has held for a third consecutive day after weeks of heavy bombardment and civilian casualties in Gaza and southern Israel.

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