Hamas Releases Last Hostages Amid Ceasefire Deal

Hamas has released the last group of hostages in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. Among those freed are individuals abducted from a music festival and small communities near Gaza. All remaining hostages in Gaza have been declared dead, with international efforts underway to recover their bodies.

In a significant development, the Palestinian militant group Hamas has released the last remaining hostages it held captive in Gaza. This release is part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, which involves exchanging hostages for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners.

The hostages, predominantly taken from the Nova music festival site near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel, have been identified, including Evyatar David, Alon Ohel, and Avinatan Or. A video of Or's abduction, featuring his girlfriend Noa Argamani's desperate pleas as he was taken, drew international attention. Fortunately, the couple has since been reunited.

Seven others were abducted from kibbutzim near the Gaza border, among them were twins Gali and Ziv Berman and brothers Ariel and David Cunio. Further, two Israeli soldiers seized in early October battles have also been released. Meanwhile, three foreigners previously pronounced dead remain in Gaza, along with several others declared deceased. Efforts are ongoing to locate and recover their remains.

(With inputs from agencies.)