Gaza ceasefire: Hamas frees last 20 living hostages as Israel releases 1,968 Palestinians

Punjab First News · 13 October 2025, 5:30 PM

Donald Trump speaking at a podium in Israel's Knesset — US President Donald Trump addresses Israel's parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on October 13 (The White House / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Hamas on Monday, October 13, released the last 20 living Israeli hostages held in Gaza. They had been taken captive in the attack of October 7, 2023.

The hostages were handed to the Red Cross, which passed them on to the Israeli military. In return, Israel released 1,968 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

The exchange was part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan. The ceasefire deal had been reached after days of talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

The same day, Trump addressed Israel's parliament, the Knesset, calling the moment "the historic dawn of a new Middle East". He then co-chaired a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, attended by leaders of more than 20 countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the release, saying it was a tribute to the courage of the hostages' families, Trump's peace efforts and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resolve.