When Are the Hostages Being Released? All 20 Freed as Trump Leads Gaza Peace Summit

All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for more than two years have been released, marking a pivotal moment in the ceasefire deal brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The handover took place on Monday, with the hostages transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross before reuniting with their families under Israeli army escort.

The release coincided with a major international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where U.S. President Donald Trump and world leaders gathered to finalize the first phase of a peace agreement aimed at ending the two-year Gaza war. The summit focused on the ceasefire’s implementation, Gaza’s reconstruction, and future governance of the region.

Hostage Release Marks Turning Point After Two-Year War

The release of the remaining Israeli hostages was confirmed on Monday, more than two years after they were captured by Hamas during the conflict that began in October 2023. The hostages were handed over in two groups, with the Red Cross overseeing the transfer and the Israel Defense Forces confirming their safe return to Israeli territory.

In addition to the hostages, Hamas handed over the remains of two deceased captives to the Red Cross, and it is expected that the bodies of two more will follow. The release was part of a broader ceasefire agreement that also saw Israel free over 1,900 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, many of whom had been held for decades. Buses carrying the released Palestinians arrived in Ramallah in the West Bank and Gaza, where they were met by jubilant crowds.

Trump hailed the moment as “the end of the age of terror and death” during a speech to the Israeli Knesset earlier in the day. “This is not only the end of a war,” he said. “This is the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who co-chaired the summit, also played a critical role in brokering the deal. Leaders from France, Turkey, and Qatar attended the talks to coordinate the ceasefire’s implementation and discuss reconstruction efforts in Gaza, which has been left in ruins after years of conflict.

A man greets a freed Palestinian prisoner in the southern Gaza Strip (L). Israeli hostage Yosef-Chaim Ohana kisses his mother after being released (R). REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa (L) – Israel Defense Forces (R) Image credit Reuters

New Tensions and Challenges After the Release

While the release has been widely celebrated, it comes amid new challenges on the ground. Hamas has begun deploying armed fighters and police across parts of Gaza, signaling efforts to reassert control over the territory. Reports have surfaced of shootings and executions targeting alleged collaborators, raising questions about the group’s commitment to disarmament — a key clause in the ceasefire deal.

Trump acknowledged the situation during remarks aboard Air Force One, suggesting Hamas’s actions were within the framework of the ceasefire. “They do want to stop the problems, and we gave them approval for a period of time,” he said, referencing the challenges of stabilizing a devastated region as nearly two million people return to demolished neighborhoods.

One diplomatic hurdle emerged when a last-minute invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was canceled after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened to boycott the summit. Netanyahu later declined the invitation, citing scheduling conflicts, but his absence highlighted the deep divisions that remain among regional leaders.

Trump also indicated hopes for broader regional peace, including a potential agreement with Iran. After a brief summer conflict involving strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump said, “It would be great if we could make a peace deal with them.” He also claimed that Hezbollah in Lebanon had been “totally shattered” and that the U.S. supports Lebanon’s new president in disarming the group.

The Gaza health ministry reports that 67,869 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 injured since the war began in October 2023, the majority of them civilians. Monday’s releases represent the first major step toward ending the violence and beginning the long process of rebuilding Gaza and restoring regional stability.

The release of all remaining hostages marks a critical turning point in the conflict and sets the stage for what Trump has called a “historic dawn” in the Middle East. Whether this ceasefire holds and leads to lasting peace remains to be seen, but for the families reunited after more than two years, Monday was a day of both relief and renewed hope.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When are the hostages being released?

All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages were released on Monday as part of a ceasefire deal brokered by the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

Q2: How many Palestinian detainees were freed?

Israel released over 1,900 Palestinian detainees and prisoners under the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

Q3: What did Trump say about the ceasefire?

Trump called it “the end of the age of terror and death” and a “historic dawn” for the Middle East during a speech to the Israeli Knesset.

Q4: What are the next steps after the hostage release?

World leaders are working on Gaza’s reconstruction, future governance, and ensuring Hamas disarms as part of the ceasefire deal.

Q5: How many people died in the Gaza conflict?

According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 67,869 Palestinians have been killed and 170,105 injured since October 2023.