Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 13, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 13, 2025
Hostages Square crowd cheers release of last 13 hostages
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Thousands gather at Hostage Square to celebrate the return of the hostages, October 13, 2025. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
The crowd of tens of thousands gathered at Hostages Square roars as the MC announces that the remaining 13 living hostages are in Israeli hands.
“Thank you to all the fighters who’ve fought the Swords of Iron war over the past two years, all the wounded who’ve paid a heavy price, all the widows, all the reservists — thank you, thank you,” she says.
The crowd is dotted with Israeli and some US flags.
In the background, upbeat Hebrew music plays, and people dance on stage. Some in the audience chant “Am Israeli Chai” (the nation of Israel lives).
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