Hamas hands over all hostages, and some bodies
All Palestinian prisoners, to be freed under the US-backed hostage deal, have been released from Israeli prisons, The Times of Israel quoted the Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesman as having said.
The prisoners include 250 terror convicts serving one or more life sentences, as well as 1,718 Gazan detainees arrested over the course of the war.
Israel had initially said it would wait until all hostages had been released, but instead decided to free the prisoners after all 20 living hostages were freed this morning but before Hamas handed over the bodies of 28 hostages believed to be dead.
Palestinian media outlets publish footage showing the arrival of prisoners released in the hostage deal and permitted to return to the West Bank arriving in Ramallah. Palestinian Authority security forces can be seen moving people away from the area to allow buses to pass.
All of the remaining living hostages in Gaza have been freed from Hamas captivity and are back in Israel after two years of war. A group of 13 hostages has just been escorted across the border by the Israeli military, after a group of seven hostages was released earlier.
“After two harrowing years, darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families,” Trump told Israel Parliament. “This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu profusely thanked President Trump for helping reach peace in Gaza and clinch the release of all Israeli hostages.
“Donald Trump is the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House,” he said as he rattled off the number of accomplishments Trump has achieved that has helped the Jewish state.
“No American President has ever done more for Israel … it ain’t even close.”
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum said that only four of the 28 bodies of dead hostages were to be returned to Israel yesterday. The forum alleged that it was a “blatant breach” of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
There has not been an announcement on the identities of the four, and there has been no confirmation from Israeli authorities on the number of bodies expected yesterday.
Hamas had warned that it would have difficulties locating some of the bodies.
“This represents a blatant breach of the agreement by Hamas. We expect Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice,” the forum says, noting it is “shocked and dismayed.”
“The families of the deceased hostages are enduring especially difficult days filled with deep sorrow,” says the group. “We will not abandon any hostage. The mediators must enforce the agreement’s terms and ensure Hamas pays a price for this violation.”
After reports that he would fly to Sharm El-Sheikh to participate in the peace summit with world leaders there on Monday (13), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that he would not be making the trip because of the Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah holiday, The Times of Israel reported.
Israeli leaders historically avoid travel on the Jewish Sabbath and holidays, except under extraordinary circumstances.
Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for the invitation, and for his “efforts to expand the circle of peace — peace through strength, PMO stated.