The Israeli military said on Monday that it had received the 20 remaining living hostages released by Hamas under the terms of the cease-fire deal.

Rachel Abrams speaks to families of those hostages, and to other Israelis, about the long-anticipated moment, and Isabel Kershner, a Times reporter who covers Israel and Palestine, discusses why the hostages have been such a crucial factor in efforts to end the war.

Guest: Isabel Kershner, a reporter for The New York Times in Jerusalem, covering Israeli and Palestinian affairs.

Photo: David Guttenfelder/The New York Times

Background reading:

Read live coverage of the hostages’ return and prisoner swap.
Why now? The lost chances to reach a hostage deal, and a cease-fire, months ago.

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