Israel and Hamas have taken a significant step in the ceasefire agreement for the Gaza war by releasing hostages and prisoners.

The 20 surviving hostages were released “after 738 agonizing days in captivity,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.

President Trump received a rousing welcome in Israel and declared the Gaza war over. Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli hostages. Palestinian prisoners were also set to be freed.

Hamas freed the 20 hostages and Israel released some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of a cease-fire.

Hamas has released the 20 living hostages still in Gaza. Monday's release is part of a ceasefire deal that many hope will lead to ending two years of war in the devastated territory.

Hamas hostages Avinatan Or and Noa Argamani reunited following President Donald Trump's Gaza peace deal after more than two years of conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration brokered the deal, made a whirlwind visit to the region, first to Israel where he addressed the parliament to repeated applause. He landed Monday afternoon in Egypt for the “Summit of Peace” where world leaders are to discuss the ceasefire plan.

Hamas says it will return the bodies of four hostages today, but has told mediators it does not know the location of some of the other 24.