Event

Return of hostages under the 2025 ceasefire

Twenty living hostages were released in October 2025 and the last remains returned on 29 January 2026, with the ICRC facilitating.

4 links, 3 backed by primary records

Connections 4

International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfers Primary record 1
Gaza Strip the UN envoy on the last remains, 28 January 2026 Scholarship & press 2
Gaza Strip the Commission's count in mid-2024 Primary record 3

Timeline 1 date

Proof 4 sources

Release and transfer operations under ceasefire agreement completed, International Committee of the Red Cross, 29 Jan 2026. Primary record
The operation began in October with the release and transfer of 20 living hostages and 1,808 detainees.
after the remains of the final deceased hostage were recovered by Israeli authorities
Potential turning point for Gaza as peace plan enters second phase: UN envoy, UN News, 29 Jan 2026. Scholarship & press
with all hostages returned, “the process of healing for the families and all those affected may begin.”
Detailed findings on attacks carried out on and after 7 October 2023 in Israel (A/HRC/56/CRP.3), United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, 10 Jun 2024. Primary record
As of 21 May 2024, 128 hostages had been released or rescued, including bodies retrieved of killed hostages, and 128 remained in captivity, alive or dead.
Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025), United Nations Security Council, 17 Nov 2025. Primary record
Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.

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