The protracted Israel-Hamas conflict reached a significant milestone on Monday as the last 20 living Israeli captives were released by Hamas in exchange for 1,968 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This exchange concludes a harrowing chapter that began on October 7, 2023, when 251 Israelis and foreign nationals were abducted during a Hamas-led attack on Israel, which also claimed nearly 1,200 lives. The same day, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, resulting in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths over two years. While Israel declared the return of captives a top priority, senior officials later admitted that it was not a central aim of the military operation. Gadi Eisenkot, former head of the Israeli military, criticized the government for sidelining the hostages in its war objectives. The conflict saw 168 captives returned alive, while 87 died under contested circumstances. The release of the Bibas family’s bodies in February 2025, along with other captives, underscored the tragic human cost of the war. Both sides continue to trade blame for the deaths of hostages, with Israel accusing Hamas of killings during captivity and Hamas attributing many deaths to Israeli military actions. The conflict has left deep scars on both societies, with thousands of Palestinian prisoners still in Israeli jails and widespread devastation in Gaza. The recent exchange, facilitated by international diplomacy, signals a potential end to the war but leaves unresolved questions about accountability and justice.