Ahead of a summit in Egypt on Monday, world leaders hailed the release of the 20 remaining living hostages after over two years of Hamas captivity as part of a Gaza ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated the families of the hostages, and called on Hamas to return the 28 other hostages, 26 of whom have been confirmed dead by the IDF and for two of whose fates Israel has expressed grave concern.

“Finally,” posted Merz on X in English, Hebrew and German after the release of the living hostages, four of whom — Alon Ohel, Rom Braslavski and twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman — also hold German citizenship. “After 738 days, the hostages are returning home – with Germans among them. Behind them lie two years of fear, pain and hope. Today, families can finally once again embrace their loved ones.”

“The hostages who were murdered must also return home, so that their families can give them a dignified farewell,” said Merz.

Hamas said it would release only four of the remaining 28 hostages on Monday, despite being required to release all hostages, living and dead, by Monday. The 28 remaining hostages include a soldier killed fighting in the 2014 Gaza war and 27 abducted in the Hamas onslaught of October 7, 2023, which sparked the current Gaza war.

“This day is a start: when healing can begin and a step taken on the path to peace in the Middle East,” said Merz.

French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who have angered Israel’s government by recognizing Palestinian statehood in September, also expressed relief at the hostage release, and pledged to work for peace in Gaza during the Sharm el-Sheikh summit.

Writing on X in English, Hebrew and French following the release of the first seven hostages, Macron said: “I share the joy of the families and of the Israeli people as seven hostages have just been handed over to the Red Cross.”

“With their release — and that of the thirteen other hostages expected this morning — peace becomes possible for Israel, for Gaza and for the region,” he said, adding that “France will be involved in every stage of President Trump’s plan, alongside the Arab partners it helped mobilize.”

“But for now, let there be joy,” Macron concluded.

Starmer, in a statement on the hostages’ release, paid tribute to newly released hostage Avinatan Or, whose mother is British, and slain hostage Yossi Sharabi, whose murdered sister-in-law Lianne Sharabi — the wife of released hostage Eli Sharabi — was British.

“I share the deep feeling of relief as Avinatan Or and other hostages are released today. But this is also a stark reminder of the treatment that he has been subject to at the hands of Hamas, and the atrocities that shook the world two years ago,” he said.

“Having met his family, I know that no one can truly understand the torture and agony they suffered for two drawn-out years and my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are also with the family of Yossi Sharabi, who are still waiting for news,” he said.

Starmer hailed “the tireless diplomatic efforts” of the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey in securing the Gaza deal and said it was “now crucial that we work together to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and that will be my focus in Egypt today.”

Carney said the release of hostages in Gaza on Monday must be a turning point for lasting peace, urging all sides to uphold the terms of a ceasefire agreement.

“We call on all parties to continue implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement, including maintaining the withdrawal of Israeli troops and allowing sustained humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza without delay,” he said in a statement.

“The release of hostages must be a turning point toward lasting peace,” he added, saying Hamas must disarm and play no role in the future governance of a demilitarized Palestinian state.

UN chief Antonio Guterres, who was also expected to take part in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, welcomed the hostage release on Monday, called for the return of the slain hostages and urged all sides to build on the momentum and “end the nightmare” in the Palestinian territory.

“I am profoundly relieved that they have regained their freedom and will be soon reunited with their loved ones after the immense suffering they have endured, and I reiterate my call for the release of the remains of the deceased hostages,” said Guterres, whom Israel last year declared persona non grata for his criticism of the Gaza war.

Leaders who were not taking part in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit also welcomed the hostage release.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal brought hope for peace in Ukraine amid its war with Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022.

“When peace is achieved for one part of the world, it brings more hope for peace in other regions where life is still under threat,” he said.

“This is truly an extraordinary event,” he added, hailing “the leadership and determination of President Trump,” who has also sought to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Argentina’s staunchly pro-Israel President Javier Milei also hailed Trump’s “extraordinary leadership and courage in ending the war and freeing the hostages,” including three Argentinian nationals: brothers Ariel and David Cunio, and Eitan Horn — whose brother Iair was released in February as part of the previous Gaza ceasefire.

“We also await with hope the prompt restitution of the remains of Lior Rudaeff,” another Argentinian national, whose body was captured when he was killed fending off terrorists from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak during the October 7 massacre.

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić also expressed “joy, excitement and pure happiness on this incredible morning” at the return of Ohel, who holds Serbian citizenship in addition to his German citizenship. Đurić added that Trump received a “well-deserved hero’s welcome” in Israel.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris, who has been harshly critical of Israel and as premier last year recognized Palestinian statehood, said in a statement that “today, after more than two years of horror, pain and unimaginable loss of life, there is a ray of hope.”

“Today is a major step forward for peace and a day no doubt many families who had loved ones taken hostage feared would never come,” he said.

Without mentioning Trump, Israel or Hamas, he added: “No peace plan is perfect. Such a thing does not exist. We know that from our own complex history but we also know how even the most complex conflicts and wars can end if everyone commits to peace and political pathways.

“For our part, we in Ireland remain ready to assist in any way we can,” he said. “We are already assisting through the provision of humanitarian aid to a starving people in Gaza.”

Agencies contributed to this report.