Hamas hands over some hostages to Israel on 1st day of peace plan, Trump declares 'war over'

The exchange of hostages between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has begun, as part of phase one of a peace plan brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump to reach an end to the conflict in Gaza.

As of the time of publication, seven Israeli hostages have been handed over by Hamas to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza.

A second group is reportedly due to be released at 10am local time (3pm Singapore time) in Southern Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.

A total of 20 living and 26 dead Israeli hostages, as well as two more whose fates are unknown, are expected to be released by Hamas.

In exchange, Israel is set to release about 1,966 Palestinian prisoners.

Prisoner exchange

The seven Israeli hostages were handed over to the IDF early this morning (Oct. 13) just after 8am (Gaza time), the IDF confirmed in a post on X.

They have since crossed the border into Israel and will undergo medical checkups before being reunited with their families.

The released hostages are said to have spent 738 days in captivity by Hamas.

In Israel, all 1,966 detainees set to be released from Israeli prisons have boarded buses and are headed to Ofer Prison in the West Bank, The Times of Israel said.

Among them are 1,700 Palestinians from Gaza and 250 prisoners serving life or long sentences for "terror-related convictions" in Israel.

135 of these 250 prisoners will be deported to Gaza or exiled abroad, 100 will be sent to the West Bank and 15 will be released in East Jerusalem, according to Al Jazeera.

They will reportedly not be released until Hamas hands over all the Israeli hostages.

Israel has also reportedly withdrawn their troops from frontline positions in Gaza, as part of the agreement.

Trump declares "war over"

As hostage exchanges are ongoing, U.S. President Donald Trump has also arrived in Israel by plane for a four-hour visit.

He reportedly declared the fighting in Gaza "over" while en route.

He will next gather with other world leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in Egypt to participate in the signing of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Trump is set to receive Israel's highest civilian honour by Israel's President Isaac Herzog for his intervention in the conflict.

Top image via Reuters