Gaza Peace Live Updates: Israel receives second batch of hostages from Hamas; says one of four bodies received doesn’t match any hostage

Israel's military said on Wednesday that one of the four bodies it received from Hamas on Tuesday does not match any of the hostages that were in the group's custody. It added that the Palestinian group is required to make all efforts to return the bodies of the remaining hostages.

(Reuters)

The United Nations' food aid agency said Wednesday that severe funding cuts from its top donors are hurting its operations in six countries and warned that nearly 14 million people could be forced into emergency levels of hunger. The World Food Program, traditionally the U.N.'s most-funded agency, said in a new report that its funding this year “has never been more challenged” — largely due to slashed outlays from the U.S. under the Trump administration and other leading Western donors. It warned that that 13.7 million of its food aid recipients could be forced into emergency levels of hunger as funding is cut. The countries facing “major disruptions” are Afghanistan, Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, it said.“We are watching the lifeline for millions of people disintegrate before our eyes,” Executive Director Cindy McCain said.WFP said it expects to receive 40% less funding this year, leading to a projected budget of $6.4 billion — after receiving some $10 billion last year. “This is not just a funding gap – it’s a reality gap between what we need to do and what we can afford to do,” McCain said. “We are at risk of losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger.'The Rome-based agency says global hunger is already at record levels, with 319 million people facing acute food insecurity — including 44 million at emergency levels. Famine has broken out in Gaza and Sudan. In Afghanistan, food assistance is reaching less than 10% of people who are food insecure — meaning that they don't know where their next meal will come from, the agency said.WFP says it's expecting about $1.5 billion from the United States this year, down from nearly $4.5 billion last year, while other top donors have also cut funding. Many United Nations organizations, including the migration, health and refugee agencies, have announced sharp aid and staffing cuts this year because of reduced support from traditional big donors. The humanitarian aid community has also been affected by sharp cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID.
(AP)

Israel on Wednesday identified more bodies of dead hostages that were handed over by Hamas a day earlier to ease pressure on a fragile ceasefire in its war with Israel. The handover came after an Israeli military agency warned it would slash aid deliveries to Gaza as the militant group was not returning the remains as agreed.Three of four bodies handed over on Tuesday night were identified as Israeli hostages but the identity of the fourth remained in question.Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu demanded that Hamas fulfill the requirements laid out in the ceasefire deal — introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump — about the return of the hostages' bodies. “We will not compromise on this and will not stop our efforts until we return the last deceased hostage, until the last one,” he said. The U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan had called for all hostages — living and dead — to be handed over by a deadline that expired on Monday. But under the deal if that didn’t happen, Hamas was to share information about deceased hostages and try to hand over all as soon as possible.On Monday, Israelis celebrated the return of the last 20 living hostages in Gaza and Palestinians rejoiced at Israel’s release of some 2,000 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefire’s first phase. But families of hostages and their supporters expressed dismay that the 28 dead hostages were not all returned. Hamas and the Red Cross have said that recovering the remains of dead hostages was a challenge because of Gaza’s vast destruction, and Hamas told mediators of the deal that some are in areas controlled by Israeli troops.By Monday night, Hamas had released four bodies, and four more followed late on Tuesday. Of that second group of four bodies, three were identified, a group that represents many of their families said Wednesday. The Hostages Family Forum, a group representing many of the hostages' families, said the three were Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi and Eitan Levi.Baruch was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza. Nimrodi, who had been serving with the Israeli defense body overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza, was taken by militants from the Erez border crossing. The forum says Levi was kidnapped while driving a friend to Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas attack.

(AP)

Under Gaza’s ceasefire deal, Israel freed dozens of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical personnel detained during raids on hospitals. However, more than 100 remain in Israeli custody, including Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. Despite widespread calls for his release, Abu Safiya was not among the Palestinian detainees freed Monday in exchange for 20 hostages held by Hamas. Health Workers Watch said 55 medical staff were reportedly released, while at least 115 remain imprisoned, alongside the remains of four who died in Israeli custody, reported AP.Abu Safiya, a pediatrician, led Kamal Adwan Hospital through an 85-day siege by Israeli forces during offensives in Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun.

When troops raided the hospital on December 27, 2023, he stayed to ensure patient care, negotiating evacuations for some while being detained himself along with dozens of patients and staff. During the siege, Abu Safiya repeatedly refused military orders to shut down the hospital and documented staff struggling to treat waves of wounded Palestinians, posting appeals for international assistance. His son, Ibrahim, was killed in a drone strike outside the hospital in October 2024, and Abu Safiya himself was wounded by shrapnel the following month. Rights groups reported he continued caring for patients despite injuries.Abu Safiya is held at Ofer Prison in the West Bank.

Physicians for Human Rights–Israel reported that he had not been brought before a judge or interrogated, and lost approximately 25 kilograms during detention. Guards allegedly beat prisoners during cell searches, and detainees received insufficient food and medical care. Former detainee Islam Mohammed, held at Ofer with Abu Safiya for a period, described the treatment as “inhuman from the time of detention until release.” Israeli authorities maintain that legal standards for prisoners are followed and any violations are investigated, according to AP.

Hamas hastened Tuesday to ease the pressure on a fragile ceasefire in its war with Israel by returning the bodies of more dead hostages. The move came after an Israeli military agency said it would slash aid deliveries to Gaza by half over concerns that the militant group was handing remains over slower than agreed.The Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed late Tuesday that authorities received four deceased hostages that the Red Cross handed over to Israeli military authorities inside Gaza.

The bodies will be taken to the National Center for Forensic Medicine where they will be identified and the families notified. This latest transfer of remains comes a day after Israel received the bodies of four other dead hostages. Despite the development, it was unclear if the Israeli military agency known as COGAT will follow through with its decision to allow into Gaza only half of the 600 aid trucks called for under the deal.

- AP

Israel decided to proceed with opening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt and allowing the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza, after the return of the bodies of four hostages, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday.

Israel cancelled planned measures against Hamas that included halving the number of aid trucks entering the enclave, it said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he's hopeful of the next phase of ceasefire deal in Gaza but highlighted US President Donald Trump's conditions that Hamas must disarm first. Netanyahu said, "President Trump's conditions are very clear, Hamas must give up its arms and demilitarize, or "all hell breaks loose."

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he will seek the support of Gulf states, the United States and Europe for the reconstruction of Gaza under the new ceasefire deal, and he believed project financing will be provided swiftly.

Speaking to reporters on a return flight from Sharm el-Sheikh, Erdogan said Western countries' decisions to recognise the Palestinian state should be seen as building blocks of a two-state solution, according to a transcript shared by his office on Tuesday.

- Reuters

Israel delayed aid into Gaza and kept the enclave's border shut on Tuesday, while re-emergent Hamas fighters demonstrated their grip by executing men in the street, darkening the outlook for US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war.

Three Israeli officials said Israel had decided to restrict aid into the shattered Gaza Strip and delay plans to open the border crossing to Egypt at least through Wednesday, because Hamas had been too slow to turn over bodies of dead hostages. The militant group has said locating the bodies is difficult.

Meanwhile, Hamas has swiftly reclaimed the streets of Gaza's urban areas, following the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops last week.
In a video circulated late on Monday, Hamas fighters dragged seven men with hands tied behind their backs into a Gaza City square, forced them to their knees and shot them from behind, as dozens of onlookers watched from nearby shopfronts.

- Reuters

A major ramp-up of aid needed to ease famine and suffering in Gaza after two years of war has yet to happen, the Red Cross and UN agencies said on Tuesday, as Israeli authorities warned of slower aid flows as the southern Rafah crossing remained shut.

Three Israeli officials said Israel had decided to restrict aid into the shattered Gaza Strip and delay plans to open the border crossing to Egypt at least through Wednesday, because Hamas had been too slow to turn over bodies of dead hostages. The militant group has said locating the bodies is difficult, as not all burial sites amid the widespread rubble of Gaza are known.

- Reuters

US President Donald Trump has threatened that Hamas must disarm or the group will be disarmed by force. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, "If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently."

Hamas has confirmed that it has returned four more bodies of deceased hostages to Red Cross late on Tuesday night, and the Israeli military said that they have received the bodies of hostages from the Red Cross. This comes after Israeli administration threatened to cut aid supplies to Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the Red Cross is en route to collect the bodies of more deceased hostages from northern Gaza, calling on Hamas to comply with the agreement and make necessary efforts to return all the deceased hostages.

"Several coffins of fallen hostages will be handed over at this meeting point," the IDF stated. (BBC)

Hamas has handed over all 20 living Israeli hostages, marking a key step toward implementing the Gaza ceasefire.

Only 4 bodies of deceased hostages—Bipin Joshi, Guy Illouz, and two others—have been returned so far.

Families of the deceased are urging Israel to act against Hamas for failing to return the remaining 24 bodies, appealing to US envoy Steve Witkoff.

The 24 deceased hostages were buried at different locations in Gaza, making recovery extremely difficult due to war damage and death of Hamas fighters.

The International Committee of the Red Cross called retrieving the bodies a “massive challenge” and said it could take days, weeks, or even be impossible.

Egyptian teams, with Israeli technical support, are working to locate and recover the remaining bodies inside Gaza.

Israel has refused to reopen the Rafah border crossing, citing Hamas’s failure to return all bodies, delaying humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Aid into Gaza has also been reduced, as Israeli officials believe Hamas hasn’t made significant efforts to comply with the agreement.

Hamas has informed mediators that it will begin returning the bodies of four deceased Israeli hostages to Israel at 10 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Tuesday, an official involved in the process told Reuters.

Earlier, Israeli officials announced that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt would remain closed at least until Wednesday. They added that the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza would be scaled back to increase pressure on Hamas to release the bodies of the hostages still in its custody.

As the uncertainty over the return of the 24 hostages continues, Israel has decided not to reopen the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

Under the Gaza ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to open the Rafah crossing to allow the much-needed aid to enter Gaza.

Israel has also reduced the amount of aid flowing into Gaza as Israeli defence officials believe that Hamas has not made significant efforts to return the remaining bodies of the hostages.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the Associated Press that 15 Palestinian technocrats have been chosen to manage postwar Gaza, ahead of Monday’s summit. Their names have been vetted by Israel, though they were not publicly disclosed.

“We need to deploy them to take care of the daily life of the people in Gaza, and the board of peace should support and supervise the flow of finance and money, which will come for the reconstruction of Gaza,” Abdelatty said, referring to a board that will be chaired by US President Donald Trump.

The committee has reportedly been approved by all Palestinian factions, including Hamas. Abdelatty noted that Hamas members welcomed Trump’s plan, agreeing to have no role in the transitional administration. “They are working on an administrative Palestinian committee to be deployed in order to take care of the daily life of the people of Gaza,” he said.

Abdelatty added that Israel must comply with a withdrawal from Gaza and allow the flow of aid, while the administrative committee ensures civilian security on the ground. Hamas, he stressed, must also honor its commitments.

Egypt has announced plans to host a Gaza reconstruction and recovery conference with support from the US and Germany.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), serving as a neutral intermediary in hostage exchanges, has called for the “dignified management of the deceased” as families of 24 Israeli hostages await the return of their loved ones’ bodies from Gaza.

In a statement, the ICRC said its teams are ensuring the remains are handled respectfully, providing body bags, refrigerated vehicles, and additional staff to support the process.

“Families grieving the loss of their loved ones have already endured unimaginable pain. All parties must ensure that the return of human remains is done under dignified conditions, and uphold dignity and humanity,” the organisation said.

The ICRC emphasised that returning the bodies is “an essential element” for the full implementation of the US-brokered agreement.

Acknowledging the logistical challenges, ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon said retrieving the deceased is “an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released,” noting that rubble and destruction in Gaza complicate efforts.

“There is clearly a risk that this will take much more time. What we are telling the parties is that this should be their top priority,” Cardon told Reuters, adding that the process could take days or weeks, and some bodies might never be found.

Israel’s military said on Tuesday it opened fire in northern Gaza after “suspects” approached its forces, describing the move as an effort to “remove a threat.” Gaza’s health authorities reported that at least six Palestinians were killed in two separate incidents across the enclave.

According to the Israeli military, the individuals had crossed into an area designated for Israel’s initial troop withdrawal under the US-brokered ceasefire — a move it said violated the terms of the agreement. (Reuters)

Here’s the text of the Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity

We, the undersigned, welcome the truly historic commitment and implementation by all parties to the Trump Peace Agreement, ending more than two years of profound suffering and loss — opening a new chapter for the region defined by hope, security, and a shared vision for peace and prosperity.

We support and stand behind President Trump’s sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza and bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Together, we will implement this agreement in a manner that ensures peace, security, stability, and opportunity for all peoples of the region, including both Palestinians and Israelis.

We understand that lasting peace will be one in which both Palestinians and Israelis can prosper with their fundamental human rights protected, their security guaranteed, and their dignity upheld. We affirm that meaningful progress emerges through cooperation and sustained dialogue, and that strengthening bonds among nations and peoples serves the enduring interests of regional and global peace and stability.

We recognize the deep historical and spiritual significance of this region to the faith communities whose roots are intertwined with the land of the region — Christianity, Islam, and Judaism among them. Respect for these sacred connections and the protection of their heritage sites shall remain paramount in our commitment to peaceful coexistence.

We are united in our determination to dismantle extremism and radicalization in all its forms. No society can flourish when violence and racism is normalized, or when radical ideologies threaten the fabric of civil life. We commit to addressing the conditions that enable extremism and to promoting education, opportunity, and mutual respect as foundations for lasting peace.

We hereby commit to the resolution of future disputes through diplomatic engagement and negotiation rather than through force or protracted conflict. We acknowledge that the Middle East cannot endure a persistent cycle of prolonged warfare, stalled negotiations, or the fragmentary, incomplete, or selective application of successfully negotiated terms. The tragedies witnessed over the past two years must serve as an urgent reminder that future generations deserve better than the failures of the past.

Israel and Hamas moved ahead on a key first step in the 20-point Gaza ceasefire agreement signed last week in Egypt during indirect talks and freed hostages and prisoners on Monday, raising hopes that the US-brokered deal could pave the way for ending the two year old war permanently that has ravaged the Palestinian territory.

For Israelis, the return of 20 living hostages brought elation and a sense of closure to a war that many feel was forced on the country due to Hamas’ terror attack on October 7, 2023 which killed over 1,200 people and the militant group abducted 251 people to Gaza. Though many in Israel have pledged to keep the fighting on in for the return of deceased hostages still in Gaza.

(Read full report)

President Donald Trump called for a new era of harmony in the Middle East on Monday during a global summit on Gaza's future, trying to advance broader peace in the region after visiting Israel to celebrate a US-brokered ceasefire with Hamas. “We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us," Trump said, and he urged leaders “to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past.”

The whirlwind trip, which included the summit in Egypt and a speech at the Knesset in Jerusalem earlier in the day, comes at a fragile moment of hope for ending two years of war between Israel and Hamas. “Everybody said it's not possible to do. And it's going to happen. And it is happening before your very eyes," Trump said alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

Nearly three dozen countries, including some from Europe and the Middle East, were represented at the summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited but declined, with his office saying it was too close to a Jewish holiday.

- AP

Israel and Hamas moved ahead on a key first step of the tenuous Gaza ceasefire agreement on Monday by freeing hostages and prisoners, raising hopes that the US-brokered deal might lead to a permanent end to the two-year war that ravaged the Palestinian territory.

But thornier issues such as whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza and the question of Palestinian statehood remain unresolved, highlighting the fragility of an agreement that for now only pauses the deadliest conflict in the history of Israel and the Palestinians.

For Israelis, the release of the 20 remaining living hostages brought elation and a sense of closure to a war many felt they were forced into by Hamas, although many pledged to fight on for the return of deceased hostages still in Gaza. But with the living hostages freed, the urgency with which many were driven to call for an end to the war will likely diminish, easing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the next phases of the agreement.

- AP

The Egyptian president told a summit of world leaders Monday that US President Donald Trump’sMideast proposal represents the “last chance” for peace in the region and reiterated his call for a two-state solution, saying Palestinians have the right to an independent state.

The summit in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh was aimed at supporting the ceasefire reached in Gaza, ending the Israel-Hamas war and developing a long-term vision for governing and rebuilding the devastated Palestinian territory.

The gathering appeared designed to rally international support behind the Trump vision for putting an end to the war. Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the co-chair of the summit, told Trump “only you” can bring peace to the region.

- AP

Cheers erupted among Palestinians on Monday as Israel released nearly 2,000 prisoners under a Gaza ceasefire agreement that saw them exchanged for Israeli hostages freed by Hamas. Large crowds greeted the freed prisoners in Beitunia in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in Khan Younis in Gaza, flashing V-for-victory signs as they descended from International Committee of the Red Cross buses.

In Beitunia, they were given traditional keffiyeh scarves as a show of nationalist pride. Some were lifted onto people's shoulders. Others sank into chairs, exhausted.“It was an indescribable journey of suffering hunger, unfair treatment, oppression, torture and curses more than anything you could imagine,” said Kamal Abu Shanab, a 51-year-old from the West Bank town of Tulkarem who was released after more than 18 years in prison. His face was gaunt.

- AP

US President Donald Trump on Monday welcomed former President Bill Clinton's praise for his role in brokering a ceasefire deal in Gaza and returning of all the living hostages, calling it "very nice" as he boarded the Air Force One to return to Washington from Egypt. 

Talking to reporters while enroute to Washington, Trump said, "I thought it was very nice, actually. And what is he doing? He’s telling the truth.”

Earlier in a post on X, Clinton while praising Trump and other regional actors wrote, "President Trump and his administration, Qatar, and other regional actors deserve great credit for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached.”

Former US President Joe Biden issued a statement commending the efforts of President Donald Trump and praised the Gaza ceasefire deal which has paused the war in Gaza and returned hostages to Israel and prisoners to Palestine.

In a post on X, Biden wrote, "I am deeply grateful and relieved that this day has come – for the last living 20 hostages who have been through unimaginable hell and are finally reunited with their families and loved ones, and for the civilians in Gaza who have experienced immeasurable loss and will finally get the chance to rebuild their lives."

I am deeply grateful and relieved that this day has come – for the last living 20 hostages who have been through unimaginable hell and are finally reunited with their families and loved ones, and for the civilians in Gaza who have experienced immeasurable loss and will finally…

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 13, 2025

World leaders posed for a group picture after signing the Gaza ceasefire deal in Egypt during the global "peace summit" chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Trump posted the picture on his Truth Social account.

US President Donald Trump departed Egypt for Washington after a two-day diplomatic trip focused on securing a lasting peace settlement in Gaza.

The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh brought together over two dozen world leaders to discuss the region's future.

US President Donald Trump met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the Gaza peace summit in Egypt on Monday, their first meeting in eight years.

The two leaders exchanged a brief handshake and spoke for a few seconds before Trump gave a thumbs-up to the cameras at the summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh. 

India welcomes the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity. Their freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of President Trump and the strong resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu.

We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has decided to award US President Donald Trump the country's highest honor, the Order of the Nile, in recognition of his "distinguished contributions to supporting peace efforts, defusing conflicts, and most recently, his pivotal role in ending the war in Gaza".

This prestigious award is traditionally reserved for heads of state and influential figures who have made significant contributions to peace and humanity 

US President Donald Trump signed a document formalizing the Gaza peace plan alongside leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey at a summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Notably, neither Israel nor Hamas was represented at the signing ceremony.

Trump described the document as one that "is going to spell out rules and regulations" for the peace plan.

US President Donald Trump praised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's on Monday as the two leaders appeared together before an international summit on the Gaza deal.

"He played a very important role. I appreciate it very much," Trump said of Sisi, whom he called as a powerful leader who keeps crime down in his country. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump indicated that Hamas' efforts to reassert control in Gaza, including deploying armed fighters and police, are within the parameters of the ceasefire deal.

Trump stated, "They do want to stop the problems and they've been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time... We want it to be safe."

This comes as Hamas engages in bloody clashes with a powerful local family in Gaza City and targets alleged collaborators, raising concerns about the group's disarmament and the challenges facing the new stabilization force in Gaza.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Monday that an announcement by Palestinian militant group Hamas to hand over four bodies of Israeli hostages is a "failure to meet commitments".

"Any delay or deliberate avoidance will be considered a gross violation of the agreement and will be responded to accordingly," Katz said in a post on X.

The Red Cross is set to collect the bodies of deceased hostages in southern Gaza, according to the Israeli military.

The IDF and Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet stated that the Red Cross is heading to a meeting point in southern Gaza, where "several coffins of deceased abductees will be handed over to it".

The statement did not specify which hostages' bodies would be collected, and advised against speculation, reports the BBC. This development comes as part of the ongoing efforts to address the hostage situation in Gaza. 

US President Donald Trump called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, during a speech to the Israeli parliament.

Trump said, 'Hey, I have an idea. President, why don’t you give him a pardon? Cigars and some champagne who the hell cares?' referring to the fraud, bribery and breach of trust charges Netanyahu denies, according to Reuters.

Netanyahu's trial, which began in 2020, has been ongoing for two years amidst regional upheaval, with Netanyahu pleading not guilty and casting his legal issues as a witch-hunt.

Israel says it has released more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal. (AP)

US President Donald Trump has boarded Air Force One and departed Israel for Egypt, where he'll co-host a summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi aimed at solidifying a Gaza ceasefire and promoting Middle East peace.

The Sharm El Sheikh summit will bring together over 20 world leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron, to 'end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability,' according to the Egyptian presidency. 

All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas after more than two years in captivity in Gaza, according to reports.

The hostages were handed over to the Red Cross before finally rejoining their families with the help of the Israeli army. 

Ayman Odeh, a member of the Israeli Knesset, interrupted US President Donald Trump's speech to demand recognition of a Palestinian state.

After being removed from the plenum, Odeh took to social media to reiterate his point, saying, 'They removed me from the plenum just because I raised the simplest demand, a demand that the entire international community agrees on: to recognise a Palestinian state.'

He added, 'To recognise this simple reality: there are two peoples here, and neither is going anywhere,' as reported by the BBC. 

US President Donald Trump is expected to arrive late at the Egyptian peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh after his speech in Israel went on for over an hour.

The summit, co-chaired by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, aims to solidify a ceasefire agreement and promote long-term peace in the Gaza Strip.

Despite his delayed arrival, the summit is anticipated to draw international attention, with leaders from over 20 countries attending to support Trump's Gaza peace plan.

US President Donald Trump called on Palestinians to abandon violence and focus on building their communities, saying, "This is their chance to turn forever from the path of terror and violence... to exile the wicked forces of hate that are in their midst." He added, "Now it's the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down." 

US President Donald Trump expressed his desire for a peace deal with Iran, stating, 'It would be great if we could make a peace deal with them... Wouldn't it be nice?'

Trump's comments come amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with the US accusing Tehran of using its nuclear program for military purposes, while Iran maintains its program is for peaceful purposes.

US President Donald Trump stated that his administration is actively supporting the new Lebanese president's mission to disarm Hezbollah's brigades, claiming that "the dagger of Hezbollah" aimed at Israel has been "totally shattered".

However, Israel continues to launch strikes on Lebanon despite a 2024 ceasefire, with the UN human rights chief calling for renewed efforts to end hostilities.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has expressed shock and dismay over the news that only four of the 28 deceased hostages held by Hamas are scheduled to be returned today.

In a post on X, the forum said: "The families were shocked and dismayed to learn that only four of the 28 deceased hostages will be returned today. This represents a clear breach of the agreement by Hamas. We urge Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to address this grave injustice. The families of the deceased are enduring extraordinarily difficult days filled with deep sorrow. No hostage will be abandoned, and the mediators must ensure Hamas is held accountable for this violation."

The hostage families were shocked and dismayed to learn that only 4 deceased hostages will be returned today, out of 28 held by Hamas.

This represents a blatant breach of the agreement by Hamas. We expect Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify…

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) October 13, 2025

During his speech to the Israeli parliament on Monday, US president Donald Trump also said, "Now you can be a little bit nicer, Bibi (his nickname for Netanyahu), because you're not at war anymore, Bibi," he joked. Trump praised Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid as a "very nice opposition leader" and a "nice man." "But only by embracing the opportunities of this moment can we achieve our goal of ensuring that the horrors of recent years will never happen again. You don't want to have to go through this again," Trump said. 

US President Donald Trump credited the success of the recent deal to earlier US strikes on three of Iran's nuclear sites, saying, “We took a big cloud off the Middle East and off Israel.”

Trump added that “Israel, with our help, has won all they can,” and said that the focus now should shift to “peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.”

Turning to his schedule, he noted his upcoming trip to Egypt, joking about the lengthy speeches he had just heard in the Knesset: "I'll be quite late - they might not be there by the time I get there," he said in his speech.

Speaking to the Israeli parliament, Donald Trump says, “Bibi (his nickname for Netanyahu) would call me so many times,” asking for weapons – “so many that Israel became strong and powerful … that’s what led to peace”.

Returning to the Knesset, US president Donald Trump recalled the horrific attacks of October 7, calling them “one of the most evil desecrations” of Jews since the Holocaust.

He reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Israel, declaring, “Please know that America joins you in those two everlasting vows... never forget and never again.”

“This marks an exciting new chapter for Israel and the entire Middle East,” trump said.

He added, “Across the region, the forces of chaos, terror, and destruction that have long plagued the Middle East are now weakened, isolated, and defeated. Because of our efforts, the enemies of civilisation are in retreat.”

US President Donald Trump lauds Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner for their pivotal roles in brokering the Gaza ceasefire, which paved the way for the hostages’ return.

US president Donald Trump called the moment a “historic dawn” for the Middle East, expressing gratitude to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he described as a “man of exceptional courage.”

Supporters in the audience cheered, chanting Netanyahu’s nickname, “Bibi.”

Trump also thanked the Arab nations involved in the negotiations, calling their cooperation an “incredible triumph.” He declared that this agreement marks the beginning of a “golden age” for Israel and for the entire region.

While addressing the Israeli parliament on Monday, US President Donald Trump was briefly interrupted by a Knesset member. Security personnel swiftly intervened and escorted the man out of the chamber. “That was very efficient,” Trump remarked, before continuing his speech.

Freed twin brother hostages Gali & Ziv Berman hug after being freed from captivity by Hamas

Israel’s army released still images of the first seven of 20 Israeli hostages freed on Monday after more than 2 years in Hamas captivity.

The photographs show the men standing on their own, interacting with Israeli army officers who first greeted them.

#Watch | Hamas first released seven and then 13 hostages on Monday pic.twitter.com/E72zBWYNUf

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) October 13, 2025

Gaza Peace Summit Live Updates: “The Government of Israel is committed to the return of all hostages held by the enemy and will pursue this mission with determination and persistence,” the Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement.

"The Government of Israel, the security establishment, the Coordinator for the Captives and the Missing, and the Prime Minister’s Office Hostages, Missing and Captives Authority will be with them and their families throughout the reception and rehabilitation process," the statement added.

Gaza Peace Summit Live Updates: IDF confirmed that now there were no more living Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity.

It’s official: There are no more living Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity. pic.twitter.com/qa1Lh4vhhv

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 13, 2025