Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza on Monday, while Israel began releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war that destroyed the territory.
The Associated Press reported that the hostages, all men, returned to Israel, where they will reunite with their families. The bodies of the remaining 28 dead hostages are also expected to be handed over as part of the deal.
Buses transporting dozens of freed Palestinian prisoners arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah and in the Gaza Strip, as Israel began releasing over 1,900 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefire deal, according to the AP.
People sitting with Israeli flags watch tribute videos while waiting for a live stream of the hostage releases to start at Hostages Square early in the morning on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has b
Cheering crowds met the buses arriving in Ramallah from Ofer prison, in the Israel-occupied West Bank. At least one bus also crossed into the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run Prisoners Office told the AP.
RELATED: Trump plans whirlwind trip to Israel, Egypt before rushing back for Charlie Kirk honor
The AP reported that the ceasefire is also expected to be accompanied by a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza, parts of which are experiencing famine.
The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, on Oct. 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 251 taken hostage.
Here are the latest updates on the hostage release:
Trump leaving Israel for Egypt
9:25 a.m. ET: President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One for a flight to Egypt, where he will attend a summit with many world leaders on Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to the summit, but declined because it was too close to the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.
Trump then walked to the top of the steps and pumped his fist while pointing at someone, likely Netanyahu. He said, Ggreat job, Bibi, great job,” before stepping inside.
Trump’s plane will head to Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport for what the White House has billed as a “Summit for Peace.”
A hostage’s father fulfills a vow and stands up from wheelchair to hug his son
9:10 a.m. ET: According to the Associated Press, the father of one of the hostages who has spent years in a wheelchair after a car accident and stroke made a promise: when his son was released from captivity in Gaza, he would stand to welcome him home.
On Monday, in footage shown on Israeli media, the AP noted that family members sobbed as they helped Tal Kupershtein stand for a few minutes to hug his son, Bar, after he was released from two years in captivity in Gaza.
Tal Kupershtein also worked with a physical therapist to partially regain his ability to speak, so that he could advocate for his son, he said.
154 Palestinian prisoners deported by Israel arrive in Egypt
9 a.m. ET: An Egyptian official told the Associated Press that 154 Palestinian prisoners who were released and deported by Israel arrived in Egypt at the Rafah crossing with Gaza.
According to the AP, the freed prisoners were to be sent to third countries as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, said the official, who has direct knowledge of the deal’s implementation. He spoke on condition of anonymity because has not authorized to brief the media.
The prisoners were among more than 1,900 Palestinians being freed by Israel in exchange for Hamas’ release of its remaining hostages.
Trump wraps his speech to the Israeli parliament
8:55 a.m. ET: President Donald Trump ended his rambling speech to the Knesset after a bit more than an hour.
His address was so lengthy that even after Trump said, “In closing” he continued for several more minutes.
Trump is still planning to head to Egypt for a summit later Tuesday featuring the leaders of many countries – though his trip is now hours behind schedule.
Freed Palestinian prisoners arrive in Gaza
8:45 a.m. ET: The Associated Press reported that there were buses transporting freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis.
The prisoners were released Monday morning from an Israeli prison as part of the ceasefire deal, which also saw the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants. They arrived at Nasser Hospital, where giant crowds were gathered to greet them.
Trump calls for a pardon for Netanyahu on corruption charges
8:20 a.m. ET: President Donald Trump addressed Israeli domestic politics, urging the Israeli president to pardon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges, the Associated Press reported.
“That was not in the speech as you probably know,” Trump joked of his prepared remarks. He added to Netanyahu, “You are a very popular man. You know why? Because you know how to win.”
Netanyahu became the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to be indicted when he was charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases after yearslong investigations accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy political supporters.
But Trump declared, “Whether we like it or not, this has been one of the greatest wartime presidents … and cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that.”
Trump says Palestinians should concentrate on ‘building their people up’
8:05 a.m. ET: President Donald Trump’s speech to Israel’s parliament was preceded by lengthy speeches from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Knesset speaker and the opposition leader.
The Associated Press reported that Trump was mid-speech over an hour after he was due to arrive in the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss peace in the Middle East with other world leaders.
“I’ll be going there. I’ll be quite late,” Trump joked. “They might not be there by the time I get there but we’ll give it a shot.”
Palestinians rejoice at release of prisoners from Israel
7:45 a.m. ET: The Associated Press reported that Palestinians in the occupied West Bank rejoiced as prisoners released in an exchange with Israel left Ofer Prison and arrived in Beitunia.
Waving flags and wearing keffiyehs, hundreds gathered outside the Ramallah Palace of Culture to greet them. Reports by human rights groups detailing conditions in Israeli detention have made Palestinian prisoners enduring symbols of their people’s struggle.
Trump says Kushner loves Israel so much ‘my daughter converted’ to Judaism
7:35 a.m. ET: President Donald Trump saluted his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for helping to broker the ceasefire and talked specifically about how much Kushner loves Israel.
He said Kushner “in fact, loves it so much that my daughter converted,” with a laugh.
Trump noted that his daughter, Ivanka Trump — who converted in 2009, before marrying Kushner — was among those in the audience.
He said of his daughter and Kushner, “They have a great marriage, and they get along great.”
Trump speech briefly interrupted
7:25 a.m. ET: President Donald Trump’s
remarks were briefly stopped when two members of the Knesset staged a protest were subsequently removed from the chamber.
Ofer Kassif and Aymen Odeh, members of the joint Hadash-Taal party, were escorted out. One had held up a small sign saying “Genocide.”
As they were being removed, other members of the Knesset chanted “Trump! Trump! Trump!”
Remarking on how quickly the protesters were removed, Trump noted: “That was very efficient.”
Trump begins Knesset speech
7:10 a.m. ET: President Donald took the podium after an address to the Israeli parliament by Netanyahu, which concluded with Trump getting up from his seat and shaking hands with the prime minister, before embracing him.
That embrace prompted chants of “Trump! Trump! Trump!”
Trump later started his own remarks by saying, “It’s a great honor” and calling the Knesset a “nice place.”
Families say 4 bodies of deceased hostages expected to return to Israel Monday
7:05 a.m. ET: The Hostages Family Forum, which represents many of the hostage families, said they were “shocked and dismayed” that only four bodies of deceased hostages will be returned to Israel Monday.
According to the Associated Press, militants are holding a total of 28 bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza. The forum called it a “blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas,” and resolved not to give up until every hostage is returned.
Netanyahu: ‘It’s a moment of indescribable joy’
6:45 a.m. ET: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his speech Monday “I’ve never seen anyone move the world so quickly, so decisively, so resolutely, as our friend Donald J Trump.” Netanyahu noted that he’s seen a lot of U.S. presidents because he’s been around for a long time.
The bodies of 60 Palestinians recovered in Gaza
6:30 a.m. ET: The Associated Press reported that Gaza’s Health Ministry says the bodies of 60 Palestinians have been recovered from under the rubble of destroyed buildings and brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours.
The AP noted that this brought the number of recovered bodies to 200 in the past four days since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect and Israeli troops pulled back from some parts of Gaza.
The ministry says many dead are still under the rubble, particularly in areas inaccessible to first responders.
Israel’s campaign in Gaza killed over 67,800 Palestinians, the AP noted, citing the health ministry. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but says around half of the dead were women and children.
Trump in Israel
Big picture view:
President Donald Trump arrived in Israel Monday morning to meet with families of the hostages and speak at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, according to a schedule released by the White House.
Trump will then continue to Egypt, where the office of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has said he will co-chair a “peace summit” Monday with regional and international leaders.
From there, he was slated to return to the White House, arriving overnight Tuesday.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from Israeli military officials, as reported by The Associated Press, and from President Trump’s White House schedule. This story was reported from Detroit.
