The hostage release began early Monday under the Gaza truce agreement, with Hamas and the Israeli military confirming that the first seven Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross, according to a Reuters report.
Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 said a total of 13 hostages are expected to be released at 10:00 (local and Cyprus time) in central Gaza. The Israeli army later confirmed that the first seven had arrived safely at the Re’im military base in southern Israel, where they are being reunited with their families.
Those requiring urgent medical attention will be taken by Red Cross ambulances to Soroka or Barzilai hospitals, while others will be accompanied by doctors and later transferred to Sheba Medical Centre, Beilinson or Ichilov hospitals.
The Israeli army said the Red Cross is now en route to collect a second group of hostages from southern Gaza. Some of those still held have already spoken with their families via video call, Israeli media reported.
Officials told Reuters that 1,966 Palestinian prisoners set to be freed today have boarded buses from Israeli prisons. Another 1,716 Palestinians from Gaza detained by Israel are expected to be released at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, and 250 Palestinians serving life sentences will be released to the West Bank, Jerusalem and abroad.
US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday morning, landing at Ben Gurion Airport alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. He invited the Netanyahus to join him in his armoured vehicle, known as “The Beast”, before heading to Jerusalem to address the Knesset at 11:00.
US President Donald Trump will receive a hero's welcome in Israel's parliament as a fragile Gaza ceasefire he helped to broker enters a fourth day, with the expected release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Follow our live coverage: https://t.co/Bej91JW2Fp
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 13, 2025
Before his departure, Trump dismissed talk of a “Gaza Riviera”, saying: “We have to take care of the people first.” He is scheduled to travel to Egypt at 13:00, arriving in Sharm el-Sheikh around 13:45 for a ceremony at 14:30.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed the release of the Israeli hostages, calling it “a major diplomatic success and a crucial step towards peace”. In a post on X, she credited President Trump’s efforts in achieving this “decisive development”.
A diplomatic source told Reuters that the countries mediating the ceasefire plan to sign a document guaranteeing the implementation of the Gaza truce. The signatories are expected to include the United States, Egypt, Qatar and possibly Turkey.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides is expected to depart for Cairo around 11:00.
The hostage release is part of a broader ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, mediated by international partners.
Update 13:00:
The hostage release under the Gaza truce continues, as US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with families of hostages and former captives at the Knesset in Jerusalem. Video from the meeting showed Trump leaning forward to listen as attendees thanked him for his role in securing their release.
In his subsequent speech to lawmakers, Trump described the moment as “a historic dawn of a new Middle East” and “an incredible triumph for Israel and the world.” He said it was time for battlefield victories to become “the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity.”
During the address, some audience members wore red caps reading “Trump, the President of Peace.”
At the same time, live footage showed buses carrying released Palestinian prisoners arriving in Ramallah, while others departed from the Negev prison bound for Gaza.
The Egyptian presidency confirmed that Netanyahu will attend the Gaza Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh later today, joining Trump and other regional leaders. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also confirmed Greece’s participation, saying the country plays “a vital role in the region.”
The hostage release remains part of a wider ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas, with further developments expected throughout the day.
Update 17:00
During his address to the Knesset, US President Donald Trump called for a pardon for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges, saying he “really likes this gentleman” and praising him as “one of the greatest wartime leaders”. Turning to President Isaac Herzog, he joked: “I have an idea, Mr President — why don’t you give him a pardon?”
Trump’s remarks came shortly after his speech concluded around 15:22, followed by confirmation that he had cancelled a planned visit to Sheba Medical Centre to meet freed Israeli hostages due to scheduling delays. He later departed for Egypt to attend the peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where he is expected to promote his Gaza peace plan.
At the same time, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides held a bilateral meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, exchanging views on the Gaza ceasefire, post-war reconstruction, and the roles Cyprus and Jordan could play in regional stability.
Elsewhere, 88 freed Palestinian prisoners arrived in Ramallah, where they were greeted by cheering crowds, while another 154 were deported to Egypt, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office. The releases formed part of the ongoing truce deal that has also led to the freedom of 20 Israeli hostages.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Britain’s intention to take a leading role in Gaza’s reconstruction, pledging £20 million in humanitarian aid and planning an international summit dedicated to rebuilding efforts.
Inside Israel, freed hostages Nimrod Cohen, Yosef-Haim Ohana and Bar Kupershtein were flown by helicopter from Re’im base to a central Israel hospital, where they reunited with their families and began medical rehabilitation after more than two years in Hamas captivity.
Earlier, Trump’s Knesset speech was marked by several memorable moments — including an interruption by a heckler swiftly removed by security, and repeated applause from lawmakers. During his remarks, Trump said a peace deal with Iran “would be wonderful”, invited regional states to join the Abraham Accords, and declared, “The world loves Israel again.”
At the same event, Netanyahu thanked Trump for his role in freeing hostages and reaffirmed his commitment to peace, calling it “a historic day” for Israel. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also drew attention for saying “the world needs more Trumps”, praising strong and decisive leadership.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the release of the remaining living Israeli hostages, expressing that he was “very relieved” and urging both sides to uphold their commitments under the ceasefire. He will also attend the Sharm el-Sheikh summit later in the day.
Finally, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh shortly after Netanyahu cancelled his participation, citing a religious holiday. The series of rapid diplomatic movements underscores the shifting regional dynamics following the ongoing hostage release and Gaza ceasefire agreement.
This story is developing and will be updated as new information emerges.
Also read: Joy and relief after Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal announced
