Celebrations are underway today (Oct. 13) as all 20 remaining living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have reportedly been freed and returned to Israel after more than two years in captivity, according to multiple news outlets.
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The recent ceasefire deal also led to Israel releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 250 serving life sentences, the Associated Press reported. As a result, the report noted, emotional reunions erupted in Tel Aviv and across Israel, while excited crowds in Gaza and the West Bank welcomed the released prisoners.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared the moment as “the dawn of a new Middle East.” He is traveling to Egypt for a summit with world leaders on Gaza’s future, according to news outlets. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted he was “committed to this peace,” though key issues — including Hamas’ disarmament — still remain unresolved, AP reported.
See related links:
Israeli hostages released – The World and Everything in It podcast
Living hostages and Palestinian prisoners are released as part of ceasefire in Gaza – Associated Press
Joy in Israel as hostages return but families say Hamas not honouring deal to return the dead -BBC
Hostage families reunite as Trump is in Egypt for summit on Gaza – CNN
American Jews and Muslims celebrate ceasefire deal, but cautiously -Religion News Service
The links above are a sampling of headlines related to the story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled from media reports by The Baptist Paper.
