13 October,2025 06:52 PM IST | Gaza Strip | mid-day online correspondent
Palestinian men gesture from inside a bus after being released from the Ofer military prison located between Ramallah and Beitunia in West Bank on Monday. PIC/AFP
Hamas released all the 20 remaining living hostages on Monday as part of a ceasefire that paused two years of conflict in the Gaza Strip, where the fighting has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, news agency AP reported.
The release comes at a time when United States' (US) President Donald Trump is in Israel to celebrate the American-brokered ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. Trump said the agreement had "effectively ended the war" and could pave the way for a lasting peace in the Middle East.
Trump entered the Knesset chamber in Jerusalem to sustained applause and trumpet fanfare before delivering a delayed address. US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine were present. Trump also met families of former hostages before departing for Egypt later in the day.
Under the deal, Israel freed more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees and agreed to allow a large-scale delivery of food and humanitarian aid into famine-hit Gaza. Trump is scheduled to meet other regional leaders in Egypt later on Monday to discuss the post-war plan, AP reported.
Buses carrying the prisoners arrived in Ramallah in the West Bank after leaving Ofer prison, while at least one bus crossed into Gaza, the Hamas-run Prisoners Office said.
Hamas Spokesman Hazem Kassem welcomed Trump's declaration that "the war in Gaza is over" and urged mediators and the international community to ensure Israel does not resume hostilities.
60 bodies recovered in Gaza
Gaza's Health Ministry said the bodies of 60 Palestinians were recovered from beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of bodies recovered since the ceasefire took effect and Israeli forces withdrew from several areas to 200.
The ministry said many more people remain trapped under debris, especially in areas still inaccessible to rescue teams. Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,800 Palestinians, according to the ministry, which estimates that about half of the dead were women and children.
Iran declines Gaza Summit invite
Iran's Foreign Ministry said it had declined an invitation to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt, citing national interests and what it called the US' "unilateralist policy." Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the decision followed internal consultations and was made "to secure the better interests of the country."
UN chief welcomes hostage release
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "profoundly relieved" that the hostages in Gaza had regained their freedom after enduring "immense suffering." Speaking from Sharm el-Sheikh, where world leaders were gathering to support the ceasefire, Guterres urged all parties to uphold their commitments and "end the nightmare in Gaza." He also called for the return of the remains of deceased hostages.
Erdogan to attend Egypt Summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government played a key role in brokering the ceasefire, will also attend the summit and deliver a speech, his office said. The meeting will be co-chaired by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and attended by leaders from more than 20 countries.
Egypt hails Trump's role in ceasefire
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told The Associated Press that Trump's continued engagement was "crucial" to the success of the peace process. He said the first phase of the ceasefire must be fully implemented before moving to the more complex second stage, and stressed that "it is all about his engagement."
(With AP inputs)
