Twenty in total have been released, with an initial seven handed over in the first wave, followed by 13 more. Twenty-eight additional deceased captives are expected being returned, though there are reports that only four of the deceased have been transferred back to Israel at this point.

In return, 250 Palestinian prisoners serving long and life sentences are now being released from Israeli prisons as part of the first phase of the US-brokered deal. Additionally, over 1,700 Palestinians being held without charge are to be released.

Israeli media observed that many of the hostages, some of whom haven't been so much as photographed in two years, are looking noticeably thin, and they were also forced to wear a quasi-military uniform as they were set free. Several videos have already featured teary-eyed reunions of hostages with their parents, families, and loved ones.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the freedom of all the remaining hostages in speech before the Knesset, also vowing to keep the peace. "Mr. President, you are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace. And together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace," he said. He declared today "marks the end of two years of war."

President Trump, having touched down on Air Force One in Tel Aviv hours before, also addressed parliament in Jerusalem, and was thanked by Netanyahu for his "pivotal leadership in putting forward a proposal that got the backing of almost the entire world."

He said Trump's ceasefire plan "brings all our hostages home" and "ends the war by achieving all our objectives" and also "opens the door to an historic expansion of peace in our region and beyond our region." That Netanyahu has publicly proclaimed the end of the war is a crucial development as there has been much speculation on this point, and whether Israel's military will actually withdraw.

With Trump seated beside him, Netanyahu said, "This is your first visit to Israel since you recognized Jerusalem as our capital and moved the embassy here. Thank you for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights." He then claimed, "Thank you for standing up to the lies against Israel in the United Nations."

President Trump took to the podium, and receiving a standing ovation, proclaimed, "This is not only the end of a war. This is the end of the age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God."