Hamas released the 20 remaining living Israeli hostages on Monday morning, and Israel also released Palestinian detainees and prisoners as part of a ceasefire deal.

The release was good news for several local leaders and residents in Stamford.

"Just this tremendous exaltation is a real feeling that they're one family with one heart. We actually had a hostage who spoke at our synagogue a few months ago, and the joy, as we say, that they're able to return back to their families is indescribable," said Rabbi Daniel Cohen, from Congregation Agudath Sholom.

Rabbi Cohen said he was awakened by notifications on his phone during several hours of the night after the safe return of the 20 hostages.

"This is the day that people across the region and around the world have been working, striving, hoping and praying for," said President Donald Trump at a peace summit in Egypt.

The summit focused on Gaza's future and next steps for the region.

Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners, including many who were taken during the war and held without charge. Among the 1,900 were 250 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to prison terms, with most of them convicted for deadly attacks on Israelis.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) commented on the release Monday morning.

"This moment is truly monumental, potentially for peace in the Middle East. But there are many difficult obstacles to overcome. Right now, I am fervently hoping that there can be lasting peace and a path to stability in the region, including humanitarian aid right away in Gaza," Sen. Blumenthal said.

A celebration was quickly organized at the Jewish Community Center in Stamford. There was dancing, singing and a slideshow with images of those who were released.

"I have actually been wearing the hostage dog tag for the last seven hundred and eighty some days, and all of a sudden, I got up this morning and said, 'Oh my, this is really exciting. I don't have to wear it.' And yet it feels a bit strange," said Beverly Stein, President of the United Jewish Federation.

On Monday, four deceased hostages were returned to Israel. It's unclear when Hamas plans to release an additional 24 deceased hostages.

"Still, we hope that the bodies, unfortunately, of those who did not make it are returned to burial. We hope that the terrorists that are released don't cause any more harm, and we hope that people use this as an opportunity to really try to build a more peaceful existence in Israel, so we all could recognize the face of God in every human being," Rabbi Cohen said.

Cohen also said he believes Palestine should be free from Hamas, and he believes there are a lot of people who want to live in peace.