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.
— 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 Gaza’s population and rebuild essential infrastructure.
Future phases will strengthen governance, expand economic opportunities, and advance humanitarian recovery. Together, these actions aim to ensure Gaza never again serves as a launchpad for terror or despair. If fully realized, the plan will stand as a blueprint for sustainable peace in the Middle East.
International Praise for Unified Action
World leaders and regional allies praised the coordinated diplomacy that made the exchange possible. From Washington to Cairo, from Jerusalem to Geneva, governments issued statements of support and optimism. They expressed hope that this achievement will fuel continued cooperation and end decades of conflict.
The United States, Israel, and their partners continue to work in lockstep, guided by a shared belief that peace demands both justice and forgiveness. The release of all 20 hostages demonstrates that even in one of the world’s most divided regions, unity and collaboration can overcome hatred and mistrust.
Families Reunited and Hearts Restored
As the freed hostages arrived at medical facilities for evaluation, reunions with family members brought tears, joy, and gratitude. Families have spent years in anguish, praying for safe returns. Now, their prayers have been answered.
The emotional outpouring has strengthened national unity across Israel. It has also offered hope to millions watching around the world that peace can prevail, even after years of conflict.
All 13 remaining living hostages have now been transferred to the Red Cross
Bar Kuperstein reunited with his family pic.twitter.com/YWKbzPGQtr
— dan linnaeus (@DanLinnaeus) October 13, 2025
A Clear Step Toward Lasting Peace
The release of all 20 hostages proves that diplomacy and determination can achieve what once seemed impossible. This moment does not end the struggle for peace — it begins it. It marks a clear and courageous first step in the 20-point plan toward lasting stability.
President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and their allies now lead the next phases of this historic plan. The world watches as their leadership turns promises into progress. Their continued focus on maintaining the ceasefire shows that peace depends not just on agreements but on action and trust. Both sides now must be calm, rebuild their lives, and show their neighbors that they seek peace, not conflict.
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