The remaining living Israeli hostages have been freed by Hamas – with Donald Trump 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. Watch and follow live below.
Monday 13 October 2025 10:19, UK
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Benjamin Netanyahu is currently hosting Donald Trump in his office in the Knesset, with both expected to speak at Israel’s parliament this morning.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Egypt’s presidency has confirmed that Netanyahu will be heading to the Gaza peace summit in Egypt (see our previous post for more on that – when it wasn’t yet fully confirmed).
It’s unclear whether he will join Trump on Air Force One or travel separately.
The US president has been hailing his Gaza peace deal for ending the war – declaring on his way to Israel that the war is “over”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering joining Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt later today, according to an Israeli official.
As we’ve been reporting, the US president will head to Sharm el-Sheikh after leaving Israel and will take part in a signing ceremony for the first phase of his Gaza peace plan.
World leaders including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will attend, and it appears Netanyahu is now considering joining them.
Meanwhile, an Israeli source has told The Times of Israel that there are attempts by Trump’s team to arrange a visit to one of the hospitals that will receive the hostages before he heads to Egypt.
The source said that, should it happen, the most likely destination will be the Sheba Medical Centre which will treat 10 of the 20 living hostages freed by Hamas.
By Lisa Holland, communities correspondent
It always haunted the Cohen family that their son Nimrod would be the very last hostage to be freed by Hamas – because he was a soldier on duty when dragged from his tank on October 7 2023.
His IDF status could have made him the most lucrative bargaining chip in ceasefire talks – and therefore someone the terror organisation refused to hand over.
How incredible for Nimrod’s devoted family that in the end their fears that a breakthrough would mean a phased return of the final 20 living hostages weren’t realised.
That they have been spared the pain of him being left to the end.
When I met with Nimrod’s parents in Israel in the summer, his father Yehuda told me: “A partial deal means that the probability my son will be on that list [to be released] is close to zero.
“So he’s going to be one of the last ones to be released, and that’s why we have to fight.”
Back in July, as a rollercoaster of tantalising ups and downs in ceasefire talks played out, Nimrod’s mother Viki told me: “I still have hope.”
Nimrod’s bedroom had remained untouched since the day he left to return to active duties in the IDF. His 21st birthday came and went without the rite of passage celebrations due to any young person of that age.
He was 19 when he was kidnapped by Hamas.
Now the rebuilding of his life can finally begin.
Pictures are being shared of the crowd gathered inside Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, ahead of Donald Trump’s speech.
Some of the attendees can be seen sporting red caps with the words ‘Trump the peace president’ written on the front.
The Israeli military has confirmed that all 20 living hostages have now been handed over by Hamas.
In its latest statement, the IDF said the second group consisting of 13 hostages have now been handed over to the Red Cross and are on their way to forces in an Israeli-controlled part of the Gaza Strip.
Under the agreement, Hamas had until 10am UK time to hand over the hostages.
Scroll through the 20 living hostages below, including twins Gali and Ziv Berman who have been reunited (see 9.10 post).
A leading representative for the European Union has been sharing updates on the bloc’s role in Gaza.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs representative, says in an X post that the swap taking place between Israel and Hamas today “marks a rare moment of hope” in the Middle East and is “a major success for diplomacy”.
“The peace plan requires strong international backing to succeed. The EU stands ready to do its part,” she continues.
“On Wednesday, it will restart a civilian mission to monitor the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
“This mission can play an important role in supporting the ceasefire.”
The Rafah crossing on the border between Egypt and Gaza has repeatedly been closed to humanitarian aid and civilians during the two-year war in Gaza.
The family of Omri Miran, one of the first seven Israeli hostages being released today, have spoken publicly ahead of an imminent reunion.
In a statement shared via campaign group Bring Them Home Now, the family say Omri will finally receive “a healing embrace”.
“We want to thank the people of Israel from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us in the darkest hours and on days when this moment seemed like a distant and impossible wish,” they say.
“This moment, today, is not a personal victory but a victory of an entire people.”
By Mark Stone, US correspondent, in Sharm el-Sheikh
There has been considerable focus on the role played by the UK government in bringing about this peace deal.
Yesterday, speaking to Sky News, UK government minister Bridget Philipson said that the UK “played a key role behind the scenes in shaping this”.
The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, then quoted her, writing: “I assure you she is delusional. She can thank Donald Trump anytime just to set the record straight.”
This morning, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff contradicted Huckabee’s words.
On X, he posted:
“I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel. In particular, I want to recognise the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell.”
Cutting through all this, here’s what I know from conversations with sources…
Steve Witkoff and Jonathan Powell are close.
Witkoff is said to value Powell’s judgement on conflict resolution. Powell, remember, played a central role (along with Tony Blair and the Americans) in the Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement.
I am told that Witkoff and Jared Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law and key envoy in this process) also value Powell and Blair’s connections in the Middle East, which have proved very useful over the past few months.
One source has told me that Witkoff singled out Powell as a valuable ‘counsel’ to him in conversations at Trump’s recent state visit to the UK.
Tony Blair’s involvement in the peace process and the ‘day after’ plans is in a private capacity. He is not working for the UK government.
However, he and Powell are close – they go back decades. Blair and Witkoff are also close.
And so it’s clear that relationships, connections, and expertise have all come together to help get this deal over the line.
Blair and Powell are establishment figures and traditional diplomats.
Witkoff and Kushner are deal-making businessmen.
The unlikely combination has been hugely important.
Watch below: Earlier, the UK’s Middle East Minister played down the ‘he said, she said’ Huckabee-Phillipson disagreement – here he reacts to today’s hostage release.
Footage has just come through of Donald Trump arriving at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Flanked by Benjamin Netanyahu, the US president could be seen sitting down to sign a book with a large black marker.
He then raised the book to show his message, which read “This is my great honour – a great and beautiful day. A new beginning”, followed by his signature.
Trump is expected to deliver a speech to the parliament shortly.
The second group of hostages are on their way back to Israel, an official involved in the operation has told Reuters.
According to the official, the other 13 hostages have now been handed over to the Red Cross, meaning Hamas has now handed over all 20 of the living hostages.
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