Steve Witkoff marks anniversary of Israeli hostages' release from Gaza

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner marked the first anniversary of the release of the final 20 living Israeli hostages from Gaza. The hostages were freed on October 13, 2025, following 738 days in captivity.

In tributes, Witkoff described the reunions between the hostages and their families as “one of the most meaningful moments of my life,” attributing the release to the power of diplomacy and the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and mediators from Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. Kushner also expressed gratitude to the leadership and mediators involved in securing the agreement.

Separately, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that an airstrike in Gaza City on Tuesday eliminated Momen Ahmad Salameh Ay, a commander in the military wing of Hamas. The IDF stated that Ay was involved in holding hostages and had been participating in attacks against Israeli troops and civilians in violation of the ceasefire.