Middle East
BREAKING: All 20 Living Israeli Hostages Released From Hamas Captivity
The world watched in relief and gratitude as all 20 Israeli hostages were released into the care of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This marks a historic turning point in the pursuit of lasting peace between Israel and Hamas. Early Monday, Red Cross convoys were seen moving through Gaza as the first seven hostages were freed under the new ceasefire peace agreement. Hours later, 13 more hostages joined them, completing the full transfer to Israeli custody. The handover began around 8 a.m. and continued throughout the morning under careful coordination by the Red Cross and Israeli Defense Forces. BREAKING: The remaining 13 hostages were just received by the Red Cross. They are now heading toward IDF positions in Gaza and will back in Israel soon pic.twitter.com/pIJomXYeD3 — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 13, 2025 This moment — the safe release of all 20 hostages — represents the first step in the 20-point plan toward peace. The framework was built to restore stability, rebuild trust, and lay the groundwork for a new era of cooperation in the region. (RELATED NEWS: Hamas Accepts Trump Peace Plan to End Gaza War, Return Hostages) Emotional Scenes Across Israel As news of the first releases spread, emotional scenes unfolded across Israel. Families gathered in homes, public squares, and synagogues to celebrate. In Tel Aviv, crowds cheered and waved flags as live coverage showed the Red Cross convoys crossing into Israeli territory. Many held signs reading “Welcome Home” and “We Prayed for You,” echoing the deep relief felt across the nation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, prepared special care kits for each returning hostage. Each kit included clothing, personal items, and digital devices to help reconnect them with loved ones. Inside, a handwritten note from the Netanyahus read: “On behalf of all the people of Israel, welcome back! We have been waiting for you. We embrace you. — Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu.” The Role of the Red Cross and the Ceasefire Agreement The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) played a vital role in the hostage exchange. The organization protected civilians, coordinated humanitarian operations, and ensured safe passage for both hostages and prisoners. Red Cross convoys moved steadily between Gaza and Israel throughout the day, carrying with them the fragile but tangible hope of renewed peace. Under the ceasefire terms, Israel released more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 20 Israeli hostages. The exchange followed weeks of intensive negotiations led by Israeli, Palestinian, American, and regional mediators. Their tireless diplomatic work broke the cycle of violence that has divided the region for generations and opened the door to reconciliation. Trump’s Leadership and Global Cooperation Israeli officials confirmed that this day would not have been possible without President Trump’s leadership. He brokered the peace framework and will be central in holding all parties to their commitments. Caroline Glick, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s international affairs advisor, affirmed Israel’s confidence in Trump’s leadership, calling him “a sincere friend of Israel” and “a man of peace through strength.” “We have deep faith in President Trump — in his sincerity, his support for Israel, and his leadership,” Glick told Fox News Digital. “We are confident in his commitment to holding all parties accountable to the deal, in partnership with Prime Minister Netanyahu.” (MORE NEWS: Trump Orders Military Pay Amid Government Shutdown) The partnership between Washington and Jerusalem delivered immediate humanitarian results and built the foundation for long-term stability. Trump’s plan prioritizes accountability and opportunity, ensuring that every step toward peace rests on transparency, action, and shared responsibility — not empty promises. President Trump’s Visit to Israel and the Region President Trump arrived in Tel Aviv today, drawing intense global attention to this landmark moment — the release of hostages from Gaza and the renewed push for peace. He came to demonstrate his personal commitment to the process, meet with key Israeli leaders and affected families, and then travel to Egypt for a major peace summit. A VIEW FROM AIR FORCE ONE, flying over the beach front of the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv… 🙏🏼🕊️ pic.twitter.com/CA9EZ1R89f — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) October 13, 2025 Arrival in Israel After landing at Ben Gurion Airport, Trump praised the “unbreakable bond” between the United States and Israel and called the moment a rare opportunity to bring stability and progress to a turbulent region. Israeli officials welcomed him warmly, and he promised to engage directly with those most affected by the conflict. pic.twitter.com/02DCbpsBru — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) October 13, 2025 Speaking to the Knesset Trump will address Israel’s Knesset today in what officials describe as a historic speech. His remarks will highlight unity, reconciliation, and the path forward as the ceasefire and hostage-release agreement move ahead. Meeting With Hostage Families Before leaving Israel, Trump plans to meet privately with families of the released hostages. Their voices shaped public support and helped build momentum behind the agreement. The Hostages & Missing Families Forum formally invited him to meet, saying the visit shows genuine solidarity and compassion from the U.S. toward those who endured unimaginable hardship. On to the Peace Summit in Egypt After his visit to Israel, Trump will travel to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where he will join world leaders for a regional peace summit focused on implementing the ceasefire, ensuring humanitarian access, and determining Gaza’s future governance. He reportedly insisted on being present for this historic moment — not only as a symbolic figure but as a hands-on participant in the negotiations. His presence signals that he intends to serve not just as a broker of peace but as a witness and guarantor to its success. The 20-Point Plan Toward Peace The release of all 20 hostages launches the first phase of the 20-point peace plan — a detailed framework that drives demilitarization, reconstruction, and reconciliation across Gaza. Phase One secures the hostages’ freedom and enforces an immediate ceasefire. Phase Two, now underway, calls on Israel and its partners to demobilize and disarm Hamas, then lead efforts to deradicalize…
Trump Issues a Grim Ultimatum to Hamas
On September 30, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that Hamas has “three or four days” to accept a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza. If Hamas refuses, he warned, the group “will meet a very sad end.” Trump framed his ultimatum in sharp terms, signaling that his patience is limited—and that consequences will follow swiftly. He stated, “We’re going to do about 3 or 4 days. We’ll see how it is … And if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end.” His message stressed that all Arab and Muslim nations—including Israel—have already backed his proposal, leaving Hamas isolated unless it joins. (RELATED NEWS: Trump’s Leaked Gaza Peace Plan: A Bold 21-Point Vision for Lasting Stability) Trump also added, “All Arab countries have signed, all Muslim countries have signed, Israel has signed. We are just waiting for Hamas, and Hamas will do it or not – and if not, it will be a very sad end.” President Trump: “All Arab countries have signed, all Muslim countries have signed, Israel has signed. We are just waiting for Hamas, and Hamas will do it or not – and if not, it will be a very sad end.” pic.twitter.com/k5cL06LubL — Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) September 30, 2025 What the Proposed Plan Includes The 20-point proposal envisions a path toward ending hostilities, disarming Hamas, securing hostages’ release, and rebuilding Gaza. Israel already endorsed the plan, committing to halt military operations once it is in place. Meanwhile, high-level envoys from Egypt and Qatar reportedly presented the plan to Hamas negotiators, requesting a response in “good faith.” The plan also includes international backing: several Muslim and Arab nations released a joint statement supporting Trump’s proposal. Signatories included Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt. They hailed the proposal as supportive of both Palestinian rights and Israeli security. Reactions from Israel’s Leadership Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the plan, he faces dissent within his own right-wing coalition. Some coalition members strongly object, calling acceptance of the plan a “diplomatic failure” that ignores lessons learned from past conflicts. Moreover, Netanyahu’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, publicly criticized the move, warning it could undermine Israel’s long-term security. Yet even in opposition, figures like Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz expressed cautious support. Lapid argued that, given time pressure around hostages and conflicting priorities, Trump’s offer might be the only viable path. Gantz pledged to keep party politics from derailing the effort. (MORE NEWS: Miami Mayor’s Warning: NYC’s Mamdani Echoes Castro) Thus, Israel’s leadership appears divided: one part ready to gamble on the plan, the other anxious about its risks. Hamas’s Likely Rejection A senior Hamas figure told the BBC that the group is likely to reject Trump’s peace plan. According to the official, the proposal “serves Israel’s interests” and “ignores those of the Palestinian people.” The source stressed that Hamas is unlikely to agree to disarming and handing over weapons—one of the plan’s central requirements. Hamas also reportedly opposes the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza. Leaders view such a force as a new form of occupation, something they cannot accept. While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accepted Trump’s plan during White House talks, Hamas has not issued an official response. Still, the BBC report underscores the growing likelihood of rejection. This stance reflects Hamas’s long-standing insistence on retaining its armed capacity. It also highlights deep mistrust toward any foreign military presence in Gaza. Such objections set up a direct clash with the very conditions at the heart of Trump’s proposal. Why the Timing Matters The three-to-four-day timeline adds urgency. Such a short window may be intended to minimize stalling or political maneuvering. In this way, Trump keeps pressure high and leaves minimal room for delay. Global momentum favors the plan. With Israel, Arab nations, and many Muslim countries aligned, Trump seeks to create a diplomatic consensus that corners Hamas. By claiming all other parties are “signed up,” Trump frames rejection as purely Hamas’s choice. The hostage situation remains a critical driver. The urgency to free all 46 hostages adds emotional and political weight. The war cannot linger indefinitely without mounting costs—human, economic, and reputational. Internal politics in Israel add complexity. Netanyahu must balance coalition pressure against international obligation. His maneuvering around acceptance and coalition fractures could destabilize the government just when peace talks are reaching a climax. Possible Outcomes and Risks If Hamas accepts the plan, hostilities could end swiftly. Gaza would begin rebuilding, and displaced people might return. International aid flows could resume. Yet, the threat of future insurgency or rearmament would persist. If Hamas rejects it, military action might resume at full scale. Trump’s phrasing—“very sad end”—hints at harsher measures or public condemnation. That path risks full escalation, wider casualties, and regional backlash. Either way, any plan faces serious hurdles: ensuring disarmament, verifying compliance, providing long-term security, and building trust. Even more, breaking the cycle of violence in Gaza will require continual diplomacy, monitoring, and guarantees—not just a signed agreement. The Takeaway Trump’s ultimatum places Hamas at the center of a diplomatic storm. With only days to decide, the group faces a stark choice: accept sweeping demands that could bring relief to Gaza or reject them and face consequences that Trump has promised will be severe. Israel and nearly every major Arab and Muslim nation have already signaled support for the plan. That leaves Hamas standing alone, clinging to weapons and rhetoric while the rest of the region pushes for peace. Internal disputes within Israel may exist, but they do not change the fact that Hamas is increasingly isolated. The clock is ticking. The coming days will determine whether Hamas chooses cooperation or destruction. If it accepts the deal, the war could shift toward peace and rebuilding. If it refuses, the “very sad end” Trump warned of will not be a figure of speech—it will become a reality. Cut Through the Noise. Slice Through the Lies. Share the Truth. At The Modern Memo, we don’t…