TRANSCRIPT
After two long years, the surviving Israeli hostages following Hamas's October 7 attack have all been released from Gaza.
Released in two batches, the 20 men were handed over to the Red Cross and then to the Israeli Defence Forces as part of a peace plan aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war.
Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan Zangauker, couldn't wait to see her son in person, speaking to him on a video call.
"God is great, Matan, you are coming back home, you are all coming back home, I love you. My life, thank God, the war is over, the war is over, there is no more war. You are coming home, you are mommy's life, you are coming home. There's no war, there's no war, it's over. My life, I love you, I'm waiting for you."
The names and faces of the hostages have been everywhere in Israel and at the forefront of people's minds.
In Hostages Square, which sits in Tel Aviv, thousands of nervous Israelis watched on after 737 days of waiting.
When the news broke of their release, it was a moment of catharsis.
PERSON 1: "To be living in this moment when it's all over... we can't even process it."PERSON 2: "For the first time in two years, there are smiles in the crowd. I'm so proud of the people of Israel."
PERSON 3: "These people have been coming here day in, day out .... campaigning, protesting, for peace for love for our brothers and sisters to come home and finally two years later they have."
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, often criticised by the families of hostages who believed he'd prolonged the war for political reasons, has described the day as historic.
"This is a historic event that some did not believe would happen. But our fighters believed. Many among the people believed. And I believed. I know there are many disagreements among us. But on this day, and I hope also in the period ahead, we have every reason to put them aside.”
The hostages are set to begin their recuperation at Israel's Rabin Medical Centre, with doctors, psychologists and dieticians on hand for as long as needed.
Professor Noa Eliakim-Raz says it will be a lengthy process for some.
"We know that, you know, the pictures of hugging that we're all looking for in the first day, they're really touching pictures and it's a very, very important day and part of coming back and rehabilitation, but we know that it's a long run."
And, nearly 2,000 Palestinians are also set to be released from Israeli prisons as part of the peace exchange.
Around 1,700 of the Palestinians being released by Israel were captured by Israeli forces in the last two years but have not been charged with any crime.
These Palestinians will reportedly be taken to Gaza's Nasser Hospital.
And of the 250 Palestinian prisoners from the occupied West Bank, who have been accused or convicted of either murder or weapons production, around half will be deported abroad.
Several buses filled with the men, women and children have now arrived in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to celebrations.
Yousef Shamasneh says he is waiting for the release of his sons, Abdel Jawad and Mohammad Shamasneh, who were jailed 34 years ago for murder and attempted murder.
"I swear to God, the 34 years have been extremely difficult — very, very hard. Even though many prisoner exchange deals were made over the years, they were always excluded. But thanks to God, today, He has willed their release, and we are truly happy and grateful for that."
Meanwhile, in a speech to Israel's parliament, United States President Donald Trump claims the Israel-Hamas war is over and a new era of peace in the Middle East has begun.
"After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live God willing in peace for all eternity."
But long-term peace in Gaza still remains up in the air with world leaders attending a peace summit in Egypt to continue negotiations.
While the two sides may have signed on to the US-proposed peace plan's initial stages, next steps including the disarmament of Hamas and the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza remain contentious.
