Hamas has released a second group of 13 Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, marking a significant development in the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in a statement on Monday, October 13, confirmed earlier media reports that all 13 hostages are now in Red Cross custody in the Gaza Strip.
“13 returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF and ISA forces on their return to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment. The commanders and soldiers of the IDF salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit asks the public to act responsibly and with sensitivity, to respect the privacy of the returning hostages, and to rely solely on official information,” the statement reads.
The latest release came just hours after Hamas freed the first group of seven surviving Israeli hostages on Monday morning. The first group of hostages crossed into Israel and were received at a military base, where they were reunited with their families.
From there, they were airlifted by helicopter to hospitals across the country for medical evaluation and care. The releases are part of a hostage-prisoner exchange agreement, in which Hamas pledged to release 20 living Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
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This swap marks the beginning of a ceasefire deal in the two-year-long Israel-Hamas war, and was brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrived in Israel on Monday morning.
Trump’s arrival
During his visit, Trump arrived at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, where he addressed lawmakers on his plans for Middle East peace. Greeted by speaker Amir Ohana and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump, who smiled on his arrival, said the visit was a “great honor”.
Trump signed the Knesset guest book ahead of his speech. “This is my great honor — a great and beautiful day,” Trump wrote. “A new beginning.” He is scheduled to attend a summit in Egypt with global leaders focused on ending the war in Gaza.
Earlier that morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released the first images of some of the freed hostages. Among them was Alon Ohel, seen meeting with Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. Photos also captured an emotional embrace between twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, as well as images of Gali Berman and Guy Gilboa-Dala reuniting with IDF soldiers.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed deep gratitude for the moment, praising Trump for his “indomitable spirit”, adding that “this day would not have been possible without him.”
“I wondered if I would ever see this day. It’s deeply gratifying to know that so many families will finally have their loved ones home. Today, twenty families are spared the unbearable pain of not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones again,” he said.
Witkoff further maintained that bringing the bodies of Israeli hostages who died in captivity back home “is a must and an act of dignity and honours their memory forever.”
Trump to be awarded highest honor from Israel
Meanwhile, President Trump is set to be awarded the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest civilian accolade, in recognition of his role in brokering the ceasefire and facilitating the hostage release.
President Isaac Herzog made the announcement Monday, highlighting Trump’s contributions not only to the current deal but also to broader regional peace efforts. Herzog praised Trump’s role in launching the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states.
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Herzog also cited the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear program in June, which, according to Washington, dismantled Tehran’s atomic weapons infrastructure.
“Through his tireless efforts, President Trump has not only helped bring our loved ones home but has also laid the foundations for a new era in the Middle East built on security, cooperation, and genuine hope for a peaceful future,” the Israeli President’s office said in a statement.
Israel’s presidential award is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the state of Israel or to humanity, the presidency said.
“It will be a great honour for me to present him with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour,” Herzog added.
As part of the broader agreement, Israel and Hamas are conducting the hostage-prisoner exchange under the first phase of a 20-point peace deal proposed by Trump. Palestinian families have gathered ahead of the release of their loved ones detained in Israeli prisons under the deal.
During his brief visit to Israel, Trump is also expected to meet with families of the October 7 Hamas attack victims. In anticipation of his visit, a large sign was placed at the entrance to Jerusalem, featuring a portrait of Trump superimposed on a Nobel Prize medal, with the message: “You are our winner! Thank you, Mr. President.”
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