All 20 living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been released under a new ceasefire agreement brokered by President Donald Trump.
In exchange, Israel freed more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, fulfilling the prisoner swap provision of the deal.
The releases sparked celebrations on both sides. In Gaza, large crowds greeted the freed Palestinians. In Israel, emotional reunions unfolded as hostages returned home.
President Trump spoke to the Israeli Parliament shortly afterward.
“We gather on a day of profound joy, of soaring hope,” he said, later adding that international pressure had played a part in bringing about the cease-fire. Ahead of Trump’s address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said no American president had done more for Israel.
The release was a requirement of the cease-fire and a step that could push forward Trump’s broader proposal to end the war and rebuild the enclave. Israel and Hamas are expected to begin negotiating a peace deal that would see the U.S.-designated terrorist group disarm and give up power in Gaza.
The deal marks a significant step toward reducing tensions, though major hurdles remain. Questions around who governs Gaza, how armed groups will be disarmed, and what long-term security looks like still hang in the balance.
So far, no government or mediator has released the full text of the October 2025 ceasefire. Officials from Qatar and Egypt said the first-phase terms have been agreed to, with more details expected soon.
According to Al Jazeera, the first phase of the ceasefire includes:
- a cessation of hostilities,
- Israel withdrawing its forces to agreed lines,
- release of hostages, and
- humanitarian measures.
Hamas has committed to the first-phase implementation, including releasing the hostages. Separate reports indicate Hamas security forces have been temporarily permitted to conduct internal operations aimed at preventing looting and restoring order during the ceasefire.
Whether the truce holds will depend on several moving parts: synchronized military pullbacks and disarmament, credible international guarantees, a rapid scale-up of humanitarian aid, and an interim security and governance framework that actually works.
Analysts warn that if any of those elements falter, the ceasefire could collapse just as quickly as it came together.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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President Trump aka T%he American PEACE President doing God;s work on Earth!! MAGA Praise the Christian God our Lord !