JERUSALEM – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz yesterday hailed the release of the 20 surviving Israeli hostages by Hamas as “the start of healing” and a step towards Middle East peace.

“Two years of fear, pain, and hope are behind them. Today, families can finally embrace their loved ones again,” he posted on X after the handover of the hostages, four of whom are German nationals.

“The murdered hostages must also return home so that their families can say goodbye with dignity,” he said.
German ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert greeted the release of the hostages, including those who also have German nationality – Rom  Braslavski, twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, as well as Alon Ohel.

“Rom, Gali, Ziv and Alon – to see you free and on your feet makes this one of the happiest days in a long time,” Seibert wrote on X.

“All of us at the German Embassy salute you and your heroic families – and welcome you home,” he said.

Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump yesterday told the Israeli parliament that the ceasefire he helped broker in the Gaza war had ushered in the “historic dawn of a new Middle East”.

“And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity,” he said.

“This is not only the end of a war… This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” he added. 

– Nampa/AFP