Freed hostage waves as he arrives in hospital

Newly freed Israeli hostage Eitan Mor was seen waving from a van as he arrived at Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel this morning following his release from Hamas captivity.

Trump's envoy thanks Britain for role in 'historic day'

Steve Witkoff - who is in the Knesset for Trump's speech - earlier wrote to thank the UK for playing its part in the ceasefire deal.

He said on X (formerly Twitter): "I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel.

"In particular, I want to recognize the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell."

Trump about to speak to Israeli parliament

Donald Trump is about to give his speech to members of the Knesset in Jerusalem.

Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron meet in Egypt

The Prime Minister and French President - who are both attending the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt - held a short bilateral meeting this morning.

List of hostages being released in full

All 20 living hostages who had been held by Hamas are now being returned to Israel after more than two years in captivity.

As part of today’s deal, 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza, including 22 children, are also expected to be released in the coming hours.

Read the full list: Hamas hostages list in full as Israeli prisoners released from Gaza during peace deal

Palestinian prisoners to be freed once Operation Returning Home completed

Once they have been passed on to the IDF and whisked to safety in Israel the Palestinian prisoners will be freed.

The first seven hostages to arrive in Israel are now in Re’im military base in southern Israel.

The entire movement is codenamed Operation Returning Home.

From Re’im it is thought the freed hostages will be taken by helicopter to hospitals.

Ten will go to one hospital and five each will go to two other medical centres.

Tearful mum tells hostage son 'you're coming home'

The elated mother of one of the Israeli hostages was seen telling her son he would soon be free from Hamas' clutches after two years in captivity.

Matan Zangauker, 25, is one of the 20 Israeli hostages to be released into the care of the Red Cross today, two years after he was abducted by Hamas during their cross border massacre on October 7, 2023.

In a video, his mother Einav holds back happy tears as she tells her son on video call: "You're coming home - you're all coming home. There's no more war!"

Read more: Tearful mum tells hostage son 'you're coming home' as he's released by Hamas

Five hospitals ready to take hostages

Five hospitals - three in Tel Aviv and two in southern Israel - have been prepared to accept the second group of 13 hostages upon their release.

After being taken from Gaza in a convoy of Red Cross vehicles, they will be handed to the IDF, who have multiple helicopters on standby ready to take them to hospital.

The first group of seven, released earlier this morning, all appeared well enough to walk, despite fears over their treatment while in Hamas captivity.

All hostages handed to the Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross has confirmed that it has recieved the second group of 13 hostages, who are currently being transferred to Israeli forces.

Trump writes message marking 'great and beautiful day'

The president was welcomed at the Israeli parliament by speaker Amir Ohana, who said: “Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome to the Knesset. We’ve been longing for this day.”

Trump said it was a "great honour", before sitting at a desk to sign the parliament's guestbook with a marker.

He then spent several seconds scribbling, then held up his message which read: "This is my great honour. A great and beautiful day. A new beginning."

Prime Minister hails 'crucial phase in ending the war'

Keir Starmer said today marked the "first, crucial phase" in ending the war in the Middle East - and confirmed that Britain is providing humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Today is the first, crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East.

Now we must deliver lasting peace and a secure future for the whole region.

The UK is providing additional humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, and we will lead efforts to accelerate its reconstruction.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 13, 2025

Freed twins embrace after being released

Twins Ziv and Gali Berman - the two 28-year-olds both kidnapped from a kibbutz on October 7, 2023 - were seen sharing a joyful moment after being released by Hamas earlier this morning.

Remains of deceased hostages still to be handed over

While all 20 living hostages have now been handed over to the Red Cross, the remains of another 25 are set to be returned later, a Hamas spokesperson said.

Trump and Netanyahu shake hands at parliament

Donald Trump has been speaking to Benjamin Netanyahu and selected members of the Knesset ahead of his address this morning.

Speaking to reporters earlier on Air Force One, the US president said "everybody is happy" with the ceasefire deal and described the signing of the agreement as a "a very special time".

First images of hostage exchange

In one of the pictures released by the Israeli military, released hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal is seen meeting with an IDF officer in the Gaza Strip shortly after being freed from Hamas captivity.

Trump to address Israeli parliament shortly

Donald Trump has just arrived at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, ahead of a speech to lawmakers this morning.

Hamas releases another 13 hostages

A second group of 13 hostages have now been handed over by Hamas - meaning that all 20 living hostages are returning to Israel.

Families speak to hostages over phone hours before release

Images are now emerging showing families speaking to their captive loved ones over the phone just hours before the first hostage release this morning.

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, spoke to her son over the phone as he was kept in an undisclosed location in Gaza.

She told him: “You’re coming home — you’re all coming home.

“There’s no more war.”

Mum Silvia Cunio said she managed to have a short call with her two sons David and Ariel, telling the Times of Israel: ”I could not hear anything, but I saw them, and this is enough.”

All hostages are 'standing' and in a stable condition

Seven Israeli hostages released earlier are reported to be standing and in stable condition.

This marks the first stage of the day’s exchange, with thirteen additional hostages expected to be released later today.

A second convoy is moving within the Gaza Strip towards another designated transfer location.

The next release - taking place in the southern part of Gaza - is scheduled for 10:00.

The ongoing operation is being conducted under close coordination between the IDF, international mediators, and humanitarian organisations to ensure the safe handover of each group.

Second group of hostages about to be released

The Israeli military says the Red Cross on its way to southern Gaza to take custody of a second group of living hostages.

Hostages allowed to speak to families shortly before release

Hamas allowed several families to speak with their loved ones still in captivity just hours before their release — the first contact in two years.

Sylvia Cunio, whose sons were among those held, said: “At first I rejected the call because I didn’t recognize the number. They look perfectly fine — David’s beard is a bit whiter, but that’s okay. I told them that I love them. Wow, wow.”

Eitan Mor’s mother also described seeing her son on video and said : “I saw him smiling with his dimple… it’s truly a huge miracle. He looked thinner and pale as well.”

Seven hostages — Matan Angrest, brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor, Omri Miran, and Guy Gilboa-Dala — have safely crossed into Israel after 738 days in Hamas captivity.

The hostages were handed to the Red Cross, escorted out of Gaza by Israeli special forces, and are now under IDF care at a secure facility near the border.

There, they are undergoing initial medical and psychological evaluations before being reunited with their families.

Another release is set for 10am local time.

Donald Trump's arrival celebrated in Tel Aviv

More cheers rang out as US President Donald Trump met Israeli leaders Prime

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

It was unusual to see the two Israeli politicians together, as they openly dislike eachother.

The trio shook hands on the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport and the meeting was beamed live onto a large screen in Hostage Square.

An announcement blared all over central Tel Aviv with a woman chanting: "Thank you Mr Trump. Thank you Mr President."

Trump emerges from plane

Donald Trump has emerged from Air Force One at Ben Gurion Airport.

He is now speaking to Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.

Trump arrives in Israel

There were huge cheers in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square as an announcement rang out.

The first seven hostages are now crossing the border into Israel.

The crowd was also told Air Force One with US President Donald Trump had touched down at the city’s Ben Gurion airport.

A red carpet has been rolled out on the tarmac, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu among those waiting for him to emerge.

Day of celebration follows tireless work by campaigners

In Tel Aviv, cars beeped in celebration of the moment the hostages reached safety as forensic teams prepared to receive the remains of up to 28 dead hostages later today.

This may be the last day Israelis will flock in such huge numbers to Hostage Square, where the Bring Them Home campaign has worked tirelessly to promote the releases.

All seven hostages pictured

The first seven hostages have been handed over by Hamas under the ceasefire deal.

They are Eitan Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal - pictured from left to right in the image below.

None of the hostages have required helicopter evacuation

All seven hostages appear well enough not to require emergency evacuation by helicopter, according to Israeli media.

They are currently being transported by the IDF for medical checks after being handed to the Red Cross.

Hundreds of Palestinians set for release

As Israeli hostages were whisked across the border into the south of their country, hundreds of Palestinians were set for release from prisons to be handed over to Gaza and exile abroad.

Engines started in many coaches pre-loaded with the prisoners, among them 250 life servers, many of them murderers as they began their journey to freedom.

For now, the guns of full scale war in Gaza and the warplanes have fallen silent as a precarious peace has fallen upon the stricken Palestinian enclave which will take many years to rebuild.

Freed hostages will be taken for medical checks

Twenty Israeli hostages were due to be released from Gaza to Red Cross officials and then transported to Israeli-military-held positions within the dusty warzone.

After brief medical checks they will be whisked across the border to Re-im military base to be reunited with their loved ones and taken by helicopter to waiting hospitals.

Names of first seven hostages released

The first seven hostages released under the ceasefire deal are Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor and Guy Gilboa-Dalal.

As their names were read out huge cries of joy rang out in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv.