As US president Donald Trump lands in Israel to address the Knesset, 20 Israeli hostages taken into Gaza during the 7 October attacks more than two years ago were handed back by Hamas as part of a prisoner exchange aimed at ending the war.

The remains of 28 other hostages are also set to be returned.

In exchange, Israel is releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees.

Israelis have been gathering since dawn to watch the release unfold, while close family members gathered at a military base to receive those not in need of urgent medical treatment.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump was greeted with a hero’s welcome and joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a speech in the Knesset.

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