The remaining living Israeli hostages are being freed by Hamas this morning – with Donald Trump due in Israel to mark the moment. The US president and other world leaders are gathering in Egypt for a “signing ceremony” to mark the Gaza peace plan later today. Follow live below.
Monday 13 October 2025 06:18, UK
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Seven hostages have been transferred over to the Red Cross in Gaza, according to reports in Hebrew media.
The reports say the seven include Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor and Guy Gilboa-Dallal.
The Red Cross vehicles will now head to Israeli-controlled parts of Gaza and transfer the hostages over to Israeli forces.
From there, the hostages will be taken to the Rei’im base in southern Israel where they will be reunited with their families.
Alex Rossi, our international correspondent, says there will be a “period of reflection” in Israel once the hostages have been returned.
Speaking to our lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim in Tel Aviv, looking out at what has become known as Hostages Square in the Israeli city, Rossi says there will be a hugely symbolic moment later – when a clock in the square which has been running since October 7 2023 is stopped at last.
In the coming days and weeks, Rossi predicts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face more questions about accusations he has kept the war going for his own political benefit. Netanyahu denies these of course, Rossi adds.
Rossi says there will be questions from many about why this moment of joy with the hostages being released did not come sooner.
Pictures are coming through of vehicles moving into position outside an Israeli military prison in the West Bank.
The vehicles could be seen lined up in front of Ofer pirson, near Ramallah, ahead of the expected release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange in the ceasefire deal.
The first release of Israeli hostages from Gaza, which will reportedly include six people, is due to take place shortly.
Israeli media are reporting that Red Cross vehicles have arrived at the first hostage release location in Gaza.
We’re expecting the first Israeli hostages to be handed over to the Red Cross under the first phase of the Gaza peace plan in the next few moments.
The Red Cross says it has started a “multi-phase operation” to oversee the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
As we’ve been reporting, convoys have been moving into position over the last hour (see 5.16 post).
Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara have added a personal message to the welcoming kits that will be given to the hostages upon their return to Israel.
“On behalf of the entire people of Israel, welcome back,” the note reads.
“We have been waiting for you. We embrace you.
“Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu.”
The Israeli military has confirmed the Red Cross is on its way to a meeting point in northern Gaza where several hostages will be transferred into their custody.
It added that it is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on.
It comes after the report we brought you in our previous post, which said that the first release of hostages from Gaza will include six people.
The first release of hostages from Gaza at around 6am UK time will reportedly include six people.
Hamas will free Matan Angrest, brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor and Omri Miran, according to Hebrew-language media quoted by The Times of Israel.
These six hostages will be released in northern Gaza.
The other 14 living hostages will be released later from different areas of Gaza.
The families of the six have been notified, according to Israeli media.
On what is a momentous day for Israel with the release of hostages due to take place shortly, The Jerusalem Post is piling the praise on Donald Trump on its front page.
“God bless the peacemaker,” the headline reads, with a picture of the US president’s face, alongside a message of thanks from the president of the World Jewish Congress.
Meanwhile, Israelis have also spelt out the words “thank you” on a beach in Tel Aviv ahead of Trump’s visit later this morning.
Crowds are building in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv with Israeli hostages expected to be released in the coming hours.
Thousands were at the square on Saturday to hear from Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who told the crowd that “miracles can happen” after the first phase of the deal was signed by Israel and Hamas.
Witkoff’s mention of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also booed by those in attendance, although our international correspondent Alex Rossi said that’s not surprising due to the criticism he’s faced over the war in Gaza.
The square has seen crowds gather since 7 October 2023 to call for the release of the hostages.
While Red Cross vehicles are moving into position in Gaza (see previous post), Palestinian prisoners are boarding buses at Israeli prisons, an official has told Reuters.
Under the terms outlined in the first phase of the agreement, Israel will release 250 convicted Palestinians and 1,700 detained since the October 7 attacks once it has confirmed all hostages have crossed the border – see our 4.40 post for more details.
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