Red Cross Begins Operation to Receive First Israeli Hostages in Gaza

October 13, 2025 | Gaza / Tel Aviv The Red Cross has started an operation in the Gaza Strip to receive the first group of 20 surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas. This marks the beginning of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the long and violent conflict in Gaza, with U.S. President Donald Trump playing a key role in brokering the deal. As part of the agreement, Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners from its jails later on Monday. Another 28 Israeli hostages—26 confirmed dead and two whose condition remains unknown—are expected to be handed over later. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will transport the released hostages to Israeli security forces at designated checkpoints. From there, they will be taken into Israel, reunited with their families, and flown by helicopter to hospitals in central Israel for medical care and emotional support. An official told Reuters that the Red Cross convoy had already reached the first collection point in Gaza. In Israel, hundreds of people gathered near Reim, a military base close to Gaza, waving Israeli flags as they awaited the arrival of the freed hostages. In Tel Aviv, large crowds filled Hostages Square, celebrating the long-awaited release and holding posters of those still missing. Footage from southern Gaza showed masked Hamas gunmen dressed in black arriving at Nasser Hospital, one of the potential handover sites. Several ambulances and chairs were arranged nearby in preparation for the Red Cross teams and the exchange of prisoners. The truce and exchange come after two years of intense war that spread beyond Gaza, involving countries such as Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. The conflict severely strained Israel’s international ties and reshaped politics across the Middle East. President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on his way to Israel, told reporters, “The war is over,” adding that he believes peace in the region is possible. Trump is expected to address Israel’s parliament later today and will be awarded Israel’s highest civilian honor later this year, as announced by President Isaac Herzog. Meanwhile, world leaders are gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for a major peace summit led by Trump. The meeting aims to discuss the next steps in securing stability and rebuilding Gaza. However, several challenges remain unresolved, including who will govern Gaza once the fighting stops and what will happen to Hamas, which continues to reject calls for disarmament. The release operation has sparked hope but also uncertainty. While many see it as a turning point toward peace, others warn that the coming days will determine whether this ceasefire truly marks the end of years of bloodshed or simply another pause in a long and painful conflict. Red Cross Begins Hostage Release Operation in Gaza The Red Cross has launched a major operation in Gaza to receive the first group of 20 surviving Israeli hostages from Hamas under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal. In exchange, Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners later today. Crowds gathered across Israel, waving flags and awaiting the hostages’ return, while Red Cross convoys entered Gaza to begin the handover. The move marks a critical step toward ending two years of conflict that reshaped the Middle East. With global leaders meeting in Egypt, hopes rise that this exchange could finally pave the way for a lasting peace.