‘The War Is Over’, Says Trump As Hamas Frees All Living Hostages

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All surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas have been released under a ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, bringing an apparent end to the two-year conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.

According to the Israeli military, the final batch of 20 hostages was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday before being transferred to Israeli forces in Gaza.

Hamas initially handed over seven hostages to the Red Cross, who were driven to Israeli security forces to be taken into Israel.

It later handed over 13 more hostages. They will be reunited with their families before being flown by helicopter to hospitals.The release triggered emotional scenes in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where families and supporters who had gathered for months broke into tears and applause as news of the final releases spread.

Hamas’s move follows the October 9 ceasefire agreement that set out a phased plan: the release of all hostages, a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a broader roadmap for peace.

The agreed ceasefire started at midday local time (10am UK time) on Friday, with tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians moving back towards northern Gaza, which was mostly destroyed by Israel.

The accord also includes Israel’s commitment to release about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange.

President Trump, who personally oversaw the negotiations, landed in Israel on Monday to mark what he described as “a very special day for peace.”