Political leaders welcome hostages’ return

Australian political leaders have responded with emotion and relief following the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages from Gaza captivity on Monday, after more than two years held by Hamas.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the scenes as “extraordinarily moving” shortly after the first hostages were released under a US-brokered ceasefire deal.

“This is a day of immense relief for so many people in Israel and in Australia. It’s also a day of loss and grief for those for whom there is no one returning,” Wong said.

“We are just very moved and we stand with the hostages and their families. We’ve been calling for hostages to be released from day one.”

Wong told ABC, “This is a singular achievement by President Trump.”