Hamas frees hostages and Israel releases prisoners as Trump visits the region

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it declined an invitation to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt, based on its interests as well as U.S. “unilateralistic policy.”

The spokesman for the ministry, Esmail Baghaei, told reporters that the decision came after discussion both inside the ministry and other decision-making bodies in the country. “Positive and negative dimensions of any decision including participation and avoiding participation were calculated and eventually led to a decision that secures betterments and interests of the country.”

He added: “Today, the Jewish calendar marks the end of two years of war.”

The ceasefire started on Friday and included the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages. The later stages of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire are still being worked out.

The prime minister had been speaking to the Knesset in Hebrew, but said he wasn’t sure about how well the simultaneous translation might be working.

In English, he then listed off a string of Trump’s accomplishments going back to his first term before declaring, “Donald Trump is the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

President Donald Trump listens to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he speaks at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 in Jerusalem. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP)

President Donald Trump listens to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he speaks at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 in Jerusalem. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP)

That prompted some in the audience to chant “Trump! Trump! Trump!”

“Mister president, you are committed to this peace,” Netanyahu continued. “I am committed to this peace, and together, mister president, we will achieve this peace.”

Amir Ohana promised to pair with Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and others to try and push for Trump to win the prize next year.

The U.S. president did not win a Nobel Prize this year. But he’s since noted that the decisions were largely made prior to his administration brokering the ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas war.

In remarks as he prepared to introduce Trump, Amir Ohana joked that the teleprompter was “working beautifully.” Trump was set to address the parliament in moments.

His remarks recalled the teleprompter not working properly during Trump’s recent speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Trump has since called for an investigation, while suggesting he may have been the victim of sabotage due to the teleprompter issues and an escalator that stopped working.

On a more serious note, Ohana said, “Mr. President, you stand before the people of Israel, not as another American president, but as a giant of Jewish history.”

“What the world needs now are more leaders who are brave, resolute, strong and bold,” he said. “The world needs more Trumps.”

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is “profoundly relieved” that the Israeli hostages in Gaza have regained their freedom and will be reunited with their families after the “immense suffering” they have endured.

Guterres in a statement also reiterated his call for the release of the remains of the deceased hostages. The statement was issued from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where world leaders were gathering to throw their weight behind the Gaza ceasefire deal.

“I urge all parties to build on this momentum and to honor their commitments under the ceasefire to end the nightmare in Gaza,” Guterres said. “The United Nations is working to support all efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of civilians.”

“Mr. President, I would like to thank you that you granted the Knesset the honor that it is the first parliament you are visiting in your present term,” Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also told lawmakers.

President Donald Trump arrives with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog to speak to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)

President Donald Trump arrives with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog to speak to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)

Those in the chamber gave Trump a standing ovation. Trump responded by standing briefly himself.

Netanyahu’s office said Monday that he will not travel to Egypt for a summit on the Israel-Hamas war due to a Jewish holiday.

The statement came after Egypt’s presidency said Netanyahu would attend the summit.

The Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah ends the weeklong Sukkot holiday. It was on this holiday, two years ago, that Hamas launched the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that began the Israel-Hamas war. Jewish holidays run on a lunar calendar.

The president has entered the chamber of Israel’s parliament.

Sustained applause and blaring trumpets greeted Trump. The chamber was crowded with lawmakers but also U.S. officials -- including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense.

Dan Caine, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, was also attending. Trump’s speech was set to begin far later than originally scheduled.

He met beforehand with the families of some of the hostages once held by Hamas in Gaza.
Later on Monday, he was set to fly to Egypt to participate in a summit with world leaders.

The meeting took place at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, where Trump is set to begin speaking soon.

His time with the hostages was closed to independent media coverage.

Only Trump’s and Netanyahu’s government photographers were allowed in. A Trump aide posted a short video of the meeting prior to Trump’s speech, however.

It wasn’t immediately unclear whether Trump would be meeting with any of the hostages who were newly freed on Tuesday, as part of the U.S-brokered ceasefire agreement.

Israel is freeing more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees on Monday after Hamas released all remaining living hostages held in Gaza under the ceasefire deal.

The buses arrived in Ramallah, in the Israel-occupied West Bank, after leaving Ofer prison. At least one bus also crossed into the Gaza Strip, the Prisoners Office said.

According to excerpts released by the White House, Trump will insist that “Israel has won all that can be won by force of arms” and “it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity.”

In a gesture to Iran, which fought a brief war with Israel earlier this year, Trump plans to say that “the hand of friendship and cooperation is always open.”

Egypt’s foreign minister tells The Associated Press that the success of President Donald Trump’s vision for peace in the region is his continued commitment, including applying pressure on the parties, and “even deployment on the ground” of an international force expected to carry out peacekeeping duties.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Monday it is crucial to ensure that Israel and Hamas fully implement the first phase of the ceasefire deal so that the parties, with international backing, can begin negotiations on the second phase. That “is more difficult, more complicated and we have to keep President Trump engaging. It is very, very important because it is all about his engagement.”

Abdelatty said for their part, Egypt and Jordan are scaling up their training of Palestinian security forces, which he said will eventually be supported by an international force to monitor the ceasefire and coordinate with Israel over its troop withdrawal.

A Hamas spokesman has welcomed Trump’s remarks that the war in Gaza is over.

Writing on the Telegram messaging app, Hazem Kassem urged mediators and the international community to ensure that Israel won’t resume the war.

According to excerpts released by the White House, Trump will use his speech to the Knesset to say that, “After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace.”

“This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” Trump’s prepared remarks say.

The president frequently diverts from his speech text as written. But his speech to the Israeli parliament is clearly meant to suggest that the ceasefire his administration helped broker could spark a deeper, lasting peace around a volatile region.

A convoy of Israeli vehicles, Red Cross jeeps and buses left Israel’s Ofer Prison for the occupied West Bank on Monday afternoon.

The buses carrying some of the 250 prisoners left after Israeli forces dispersed crowds on nearby hills with tear gas and sound grenades. The buses are headed to the center of Beitunia, the nearest Palestinian town, where friends and families await their arrival.

Israel’s military said Monday that all of the living hostages once held by Hamas had returned to Israel. The military made the announcement after the final group of 13 crossed the border.

Freed Israeli hostage Eitan Mor gestures from a van as he arrives at Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, after he was released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Stripl, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Freed Israeli hostage Eitan Mor gestures from a van as he arrives at Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, after he was released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Stripl, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Ziv Berman, an Israeli hostage released from the Gaza Strip gestures a minibus at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Ziv Berman, an Israeli hostage released from the Gaza Strip gestures a minibus at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Their return was a key part of the Israel-Hamas war ceasefire now being marked by a visit to Israel and Egypt by President Donald Trump. Israel is due to release over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.

According to Egypt, both Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are attending the summit in the Red Sea resort on Monday.

The summit is co-chaired by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and U.S. President Donald Trump and will be attended by over two dozen world leaders.

Netanyahu’s attendance comes as Trump is attempting to solidify the end of the war between Israel and Hamas. Trump has repeatedly suggested since leaving for Israel on Sunday night that the war is over. But the U.S.-brokered ceasefire could still face challenges.

Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt on Monday to join U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders of more than 20 countries in a summit on the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East, said an Italian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to give official statements.

The official said the heads of state and governments will be present at the ceremony “to reiterate the international community’s message of unity in support of the peace plan.”

The first helicopter carrying the freed hostages from a base in southern Israel to a hospital took off on Monday morning.

The hostages, who appeared to be in better physical condition than those previously released, are being brought to three hospitals in central Israel, where they will reunite with their families.

The Israeli military said Monday it had taken custody of the 13 living hostages still in the Gaza Strip. The military said it received the hostages from the Red Cross.

The 13 hostages will be transferred to a military base in southern Israel to be reunited with their families. They will then be taken by helicopter to Israeli hospitals.

People wave Israeli flags in celebration as they wait outside Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, where some of the freed hostages are expected to arrive after being released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

People wave Israeli flags in celebration as they wait outside Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, where some of the freed hostages are expected to arrive after being released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Hamas earlier said it would release the 20 living hostages in the Gaza Strip in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange comes as part of the ceasefire reached in the two-year Israel-Hamas war as President Donald Trump visits the region.

Trump’s address to the Knesset is the first by a U.S. president since Bush, a fellow Republican, spoke to Israeli lawmakers during a visit in May 2008 — marking the 60th anniversary of Israel’s founding as an independent state.

Bush’s speech lasted 23 minutes. He recounted how the United States was the first country to recognize Israel’s independence.

Bush talked then about the “unbreakable” alliance between the two governments and called for peace throughout the Middle East.

Hamas released 13 remaining living hostages to Red Cross officials on Monday, the Israeli military said.

The Israeli military will take custody of the hostages and transport them onward to Israel.

In the Knesset gallery, where Trump was set to speak, quite a few people in the gallery were wearing red hats that said: “Trump, The Peace President.” At least one person on the parliament’s floor wore such a hat.

Trump spoke briefly to the Israel press before beginning his remarks to the Knesset. Asked if Israeli’s war with Hamas was officially over, he said simply, “Yes.”

The president made similar comments on Air Force One as he was flying to Israel — despite the ceasefire deal still being in the early stages and potentially precarious.

Final preparations are underway in Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh for a gathering of world leaders to show their support for efforts to end the two-year Gaza war.

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet on the sidelines of the Gaza International Peace Summit, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Oct.13 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool photo via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet on the sidelines of the Gaza International Peace Summit, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Oct.13 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool photo via AP)

Trump and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi are co-chairing the “summit for peace” on Monday. They will be joined by several world leaders who are throwing their weight behind the ceasefire agreement.

The summit will give international backing to negotiations on complex issues ahead: disarming Hamas, a postwar government in Gaza, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and a bill for reconstruction.

The president was welcomed at the Israeli parliament by its speaker, Amir Ohana, who said, “Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome to the Knesset. We’ve been longing for this day.”

“It’s a great honor,” Trump responded. He then sat at a desk to sign the guestbook with a marker.

The president spent several seconds scribbling, then held up what he wrote. It read: “This is my great honor. A great and beautiful day. A new beginning,” over his scrawled signature.

Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration special envoy who played a key role in brokering the ceasefire agreement, says he’s thinking of his adult son, Andrew, who died of an opioid overdose in 2011.

“It’s deeply gratifying to know that so many families will finally have their loved ones home,” Witkoff posted on X of the hostages being released.
“Today, 20 families are spared the unbearable pain of not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones again.”

He added that “even in this moment of relief and happiness, my heart aches for those whose loved ones will not return alive. Bringing their bodies home is a must and an act of dignity and honors their memory forever. I can’t help but feel the presence of my son Andrew at this moment.”

An armored vehicle flying an Israeli flag drove up the hill from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank and fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Palestinians waiting for the release of some of the 250 prisoners slated for exchange on Monday.

Israeli soldiers fire tear gas to disperse Palestinians gathered near the Ofer Prison awaiting the release of prisoners in a swap for Israelis held hostage in Gaza, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

Israeli soldiers fire tear gas to disperse Palestinians gathered near the Ofer Prison awaiting the release of prisoners in a swap for Israelis held hostage in Gaza, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

As drones buzzed overhead, the crowd scattered. The tear gas followed the circulation of a flier warning that anyone supporting what it called “terrorist organizations” risked arrest.

Israel’s military did not respond to questions about the flier, which the Associated Press obtained on site.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated the release of hostages by Hamas and their return to Israel as a moment of “pure joy for those families” and “relief for the entire world.”

“It means that a page can be turned. A new chapter can begin,” von der Leyen said in a statement. “The finalization of the agreement ending the war today in Sharm el-Sheikh will be a historical milestone.”

She said the 27-nation European Union was ready to support peace efforts by the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey as well as reconstruction in Gaza, especially in “support on governance and for the reform of the Palestinian Authority.”

Israel released the first photos of the hostages arriving in Israel and meeting Israeli troops.

From initial photos, the hostages appear less gaunt and emaciated than the hostages released in January. Family members and friends watching the releases erupted in cheers and embraced each other, breaking out in sobs at the first photo of their loved ones.

In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where tens of thousands gathered to watch the releases, a joyful roar erupted from the crowd as the first images of the hostages flashed on the screen.

The Government Press Office released a photo of Gali and Ziv Berman, 28-year-old twins from Kfar Aza, reuniting with each other with expressions of disbelief. According to hostages previously released, the twins were held separately from each other.

Many Israelis see the release of all the hostages as a definitive end to the war and a chance to celebrate life.

“I think what you are seeing here, the people that are celebrating in the square, something for me that is very Israeli, to see so many people gathering around to celebrate not the death of our enemies but the life of our people, of Israeli people,” said Gili Roman.

People react as they gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli hostages released from Gaza at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. The release took place as part of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

People react as they gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli hostages released from Gaza at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. The release took place as part of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

His sister Yarden Roman-Gat was freed from Gaza during the first ceasefire in November 2023 but his sister-in-law Carmel Gat was killed in captivity last year.

Roman said it’s important for people around the world not to define Israel just by the army that’s been fighting in Gaza, but as a country of people who just want to live.

“Israel is when we’re celebrating people coming back alive and that the war is over,” he said.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a grassroots organization that has led the protest movement to release the hostages held in Gaza, invited Trump to come to Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square as he was landing in Israel.

“President Trump, Hostages Square and hundreds of thousands of people are prepared and ready to welcome you with open arms,” the group said in a statement.

Trump making such an appearance is difficult to imagine.

There are security concerns wherever the president goes and Trump’s trip will take him to Israel and Egypt before returning to Washington without staying overnight, making for a very tight, and tightly controlled, schedule.

Still, the invitation was noteworthy, marking the group’s excitement around the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.

Netanyahu climbed into the presidential vehicle beside Trump before the motorcade rolled away from the airport.

Trump could be seen with his arm against the limo’s window, and appeared to have a piece of paper in his hand, shortly before the line of vehicles sped away.

Trump was planning to meet with hostage families at the Knesset, or Israel’s parliament, which Trump was also set to address.

The president emerged from the plane, pumped his fist and carefully walked down the stairs of Air Force One wearing a suit and red tie.

The military band began to play as Trump was greeted by Herzog and then Netanyahu.

President Donald Trump greets Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, near Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump greets Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, near Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

There was cheering and clapping in Hostages Square as Trump was seen coming down the steps.

Trump exchanged kisses with his daughter, Ivanka, then lingered speaking to U.S. and Israeli officials, though what exactly was being said couldn’t be heard.

The top U.N. humanitarian official says that a scale-up of humanitarian aid to Gaza is underway.

Tom Feltcher said Monday that the U.N. and its partners distributed hundreds of thousands of hot meals and bread bundles in southern and northern Gaza. He also said cooking gas entered the strip for the first time in months.

“This is just beginning,” he wrote on social media after his arrival to Egypt’s resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to attend an international summit on Gaza.

In one of the calls, the hostage Elkana Bohbot, set to be released, can be seen smiling on a video call with his parents. A masked militant standing by his side is also visible in the frame.

Sylvia Cunio, whose sons David and Ariel are also expected to be freed in the second release today, told Israeli channel 12 after her first call with them in two years, “I couldn’t hear anything, there’s so much noise here, but I saw them, and that’s enough for me.”

Several other families of hostages spoke over the past hour to their loved ones still inside Gaza. The circumstances that enabled the video calls were not immediately clear.

Cunio said her sons “look fine,” adding that “David has a bit more white in his beard.”

Some of those gathered in Hostages Square chanted, “Thank you, Trump!” as Air Force One approached.

Members of an Israeli military band listen to a live broadcast showing the first group of hostages being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, ahead of a welcoming ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump's arrival at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Members of an Israeli military band listen to a live broadcast showing the first group of hostages being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, ahead of a welcoming ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump's arrival at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

President Donald Trump arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, near Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, near Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Officials rolled out the red carpet for the president’s arrival at the airport, and the welcoming party included a military band.

Netanyahu was among those on the tarmac to greet Trump, as was Israeli President Isaac Herzog. U.S. officials included Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who helped broker the U.S.-led ceasefire agreement, and Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter.