JERUSALEM — In a scene that drew thousands into city squares across Israel, families and
supporters watched as the remaining living hostages were released from Gaza on Monday,
allowed by a deal brokered with U.S. assistance. October 13, 2025 will always be remembered as
a historically groundbreaking day.
The premise of the plan is that Hamas must return all 48 remaining hostages held in Gaza in
exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and self autonomy must be handed over to
Gaza. The first part of the deal was that Gaza must become a terror-free zone and redevelop for
the benefit of their inhabitants. The IDF then must retreat to an agreed-upon line to prepare for
the hostage release. Once all the hostages from Gaza are released, Israel is then required to return
250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after October 7, 2023. For
every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased
Gazans.
On Monday morning, President Donald Trump landed at Ben Gurion at 10:00 AM and was
greeted by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. He was then escorted to the Knesset through streets
lined with both Israeli and American flags that had been hung through the city of Jerusalem just
days prior, awaiting Donald Trump’s arrival. Across the country, families gathered in front of
screens and in public squares to witness the long-awaited moment of return. Meital Steinlauf
(26’) and Amalia Steinlauf (26’) watched the release in their living room along with their entire
extended family. Ora Ryzman (26’) did the same.
In Tel Aviv, Hostage Square is filled with cheering crowds. In Jerusalem, hundreds gathered at
Paris Square, where I stood among families, tourists, and students — all watching the events
unfold on a large outdoor projector. Paris Square has been a place where Israelis can come to
peacefully protest during the past two years. It has become a symbolic gathering space for people
to share their feelings and opinions on the war.
The tent was decorated with yellow ribbons and handwritten signs bearing the names of hostages
and hopes of their return. Yellow chains, pictures of hostages, and stickers of fallen soldiers strung
across the interior tent, symbolizing the shared hope that had united the country for nearly two
years.
Mothers and daughters held hands with tears in their eyes as they watched Alon Ohel come home
and hug his family for the first time in two years. Kids cheered with candy as they watched
Avinatan Or reunite with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani. Israelis and Americans danced in the
streets, celebrating the long-awaited freedom of the living hostages.
“Standing among Am Yisrael at Paris Square was one of the most inspiring parts of my gap year
so far,” said Michal Mahler (25’), living in Jerusalem for a gap year from Los Angeles.
Mrs. Margolis, YULA Girls teacher, said, “Being at Paris Square the day the hostages were
released, you could literally feel the air change. People were crying, singing, dancing with a
group of total strangers just celebrating together… It felt like we all knew each other and each
person coming home, like we were personally invested in every story.”
As music played from an old Samsung, strangers hugged and lifted chairs with photos of
returned hostages, and danced together in the streets. For many, it felt like a powerful reminder
of unity — the kind that tragedy had once threatened to erase.
This Sukkot will forever be remembered as the day the hostages came home. While we continue
to pray for the return of those still in Gaza, the events at Paris Square reminded us of one
powerful truth — Am Yisrael Chai, the people of Israel live, and dance again.
