Who are the released hostages?

The Israeli military says 20 living hostages and the bodies of 15 deceased hostages have been handed over by Hamas and have returned to Israel under the Gaza ceasefire deal. Until 13 October, 48 hostages were still being held in Gaza, 28 of whom were dead.All but one of the hostages were among the 251 people abducted during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 other people were killed.Israel responded by launching a military campaign in Gaza, during which more than 67,000 people have been killed, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

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Gali and Ziv Berman, 28-year-old twin brothers, were abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza with their neighbour, Emily Damari. Ziv was held with Emily for 40 days before they were separated. She was released in January 2025 during the last ceasefire. Gali and Ziv’s family said they had been informed by other hostages released in early 2025 that they were still alive.

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