Family members and friends of Israeli soldier Matan Angrist gathered in a celebration on Friday morning after his release from Hamas captivity following 738 days.

The 22-year-old was captured on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked his tank near the Gaza perimeter fence during a large-scale assault by the armed group that sparked the current conflict.

Angrist’s release is part of the first phase of a new agreement between Israel and Hamas, which also includes the release of 20 other Israeli hostages still alive who were captured during the same attack. This exchange, mediated internationally, is a significant step in efforts to end the two-year-long war.

As part of the deal, Israel is expected to release about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas has agreed to return the remains of deceased hostages, although the timing remains uncertain. The agreement follows the Israeli government’s approval of a US-backed ceasefire plan, raising cautious hopes for a broader truce and the beginning of a recovery process after years of bloodshed and destruction.