Seven Israeli hostages have been freed in Gaza and are now with the Israeli military, the IDF confirmed, among loud cheers in Hostages Square as news of the release emerged.
Hamas has released a list of the 20 living hostages being freed today. They have been held in Gaza since the 7 October attacks in 2023. The bodies of 28 who were killed following the attacks are to be returned in stages over the next 10 days. In exchange for the hostages, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees.
Powerful moment in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square—cheers erupt as it was announced hostages had been safely returned to Israeli forces. 💛
pic.twitter.com/CJVsrEJUU9— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 13, 2025
Trump’s Summit in Egypt after Israeli hostage release in Gaza
Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Israel. He will later head to Egypt for a summit attended by around 20 world leaders, among them the leaders of Greece and Cyprus.
On the aftermath of a historic ceasefire deal, the summit is being organized amid heightened international concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict in Gaza and will be chaired by US President Donald Trump and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he will attend. French President Emmanuel Macron as well as Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and Pedro Sanchez of Spain have confirmed attendance. Israel has not confirmed yet, while Iran has also been invited.
Trump: “The war is over”
President Trump declared “the war is over,” aboard Air Force One as he headed to Israel on Sunday night — predicting that the cease-fire deal he hammered through could end the centuries-long Middle East conflict.
“The war is over,” he told reporters on Air Force One Sunday en route to Israel. “I think people are going to behave. Everybody knows their place. It’s going to be great for everybody,” he said.
“I think people are tired of it,” he added. “It’s been centuries, OK, not just recent. It’s been centuries. I think people are tired of it. Yeah, the ceasefire is going to hold.”
Related: Israel Approves Gaza Ceasefire; Key Elements of the Agreement
