skip to contentAdvertisementA total of 251 people were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. While more than 200 of them have been since freed, 48 still remain in captivity, out of which Israeli authorities believe only around 20 are alive.By: Express Web Desk September 30, 2025 01:28 AM IST First published on: Sep 30, 2025 at 01:27 AM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookRelatives and supporters of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip calling for their immediate release and an end of the ongoing war. (Photo: AP)As US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a joint White House briefing on Monday that a historic deal has been reached to end the war in Gaza, there is renewed hope for the families of the 48 hostages, who are still being held by Hamas.“After almost two years of unimaginable anguish, we stand at a historic turning point,” the families of the hostages said in a statement, while thanking Trump for his unwavering commitment and making the deal possible.Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with President Donald Trump after the news conference. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Hostage families thank Trump“President Trump has accomplished what many said was impossible. His determination never wavered, even when others lost hope. The time he personally invested in pursuing peace in the Middle East and resolving this conflict that has destabilized the entire region, along with the personal guarantee he has placed on this agreement, deserves our deepest appreciation,” the families said.Netanyahu said his country has already accepted the peace deal, which has the backing of the Arab countries, who are likely to preassurise Hamas to follow suit.“There is no reason to risk their lives when Israel has adopted President Trump’s historic initiative. The world must apply maximum pressure to ensure Hamas commits to this historic opportunity for peace,” the families said.Relatives and supporters of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip calling for their immediate release and an end of the ongoing war, in front of the U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo: AP)‘All of them must return now’While they are delighted that a deal to secure the release of their loved ones has been made, the families said they would rest only after all of the hostages are returned to Israel.“Yet even as we celebrate this breakthrough, we will not rest until the last hostage is back home. This is our moral obligation. All 48 hostages must return.”“All 48 hostages must return – the living for rehabilitation, the deceased for burial in their homeland. Only then can we begin to heal as a nation,” they added.After almost two years of unimaginable anguish, we stand at a historic turning point.We are profoundly grateful to President Trump for his unwavering commitment to our families and the state of Israel, and for achieving what we have been desperately seeking since October 7 – a…— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) September 29, 2025Earlier, during the joint briefing, Trump said that if Hamas agrees to the Gaza peace deal, the hostages will be home within 72 hours.Most ReadIsraeli hostages in Hamas captivityA total of 251 people were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. While more than 200 of them have been since freed, 48 still remain in captivity, out of which Israeli authorities believe only around 20 are alive.The fate of the hostages had become a major concern after Israel launched its ground offensive in Gaza City earlier this month.The families had been holding regular protests across Israeli cities, calling for an end to the war and a safe return of their loved ones.AdvertisementAdvertisementLoading Taboola...