Israel and Hamas Prepare Hostage, Prisoner Exchange as Ceasefire Holds

Published: October 13, 2025, 21:45 EDT

Anticipation has grown across Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds ahead of a critical day of hostages, prisoners, and humanitarian releases. The developments come as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to visit Israel and Egypt, marking a high-stakes diplomatic moment for the region.

Hostage Release Expected Monday

Israel said Sunday that it expects the release of 20 living hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks, when Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 Israelis and abducted about 250 people. The hostages will be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross before being transferred to the Israeli military’s Reim base for medical evaluation and family reunions.

Officials have prepared ambulances in case urgent medical care is required following more than two years of captivity. The remains of up to 28 other hostages are not expected to be returned at the same time, although Israel stated that “an international body” will assist in locating and recovering them if not released within 72 hours, as stipulated in the ceasefire terms.

Palestinian Prisoners Set for Mass Release

As part of the truce deal, Israel is set to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 1,700 detainees captured during the war and held without formal charges. Another 250 prisoners serving sentences will also be freed.

The group includes members of Hamas and Fatah involved in violent attacks against Israelis, as well as individuals convicted of lesser offenses. Many will return to Gaza or the West Bank, while some could face exile depending on the final terms of the exchange.

It remains unclear which prisoners will be allowed to return directly to Gaza or whether certain individuals will be deported under international supervision.

Humanitarian Aid Surge Planned for Gaza

International aid agencies said they are preparing to significantly increase humanitarian deliveries to Gaza as part of the ceasefire framework. On Sunday, around 400 trucks carrying food and supplies from Egypt awaited Israeli inspection before entering the enclave.

Israel’s defense body overseeing aid operations confirmed that the number will soon rise to 600 trucks per day. The goal is to alleviate severe shortages and widespread hunger in the territory, where famine conditions have been documented by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

The IPC reported in August that Gaza City was already experiencing famine, with the crisis projected to spread south toward Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis if restrictions were not eased. Rebuilding efforts remain daunting, with much of Gaza reduced to rubble and more than two million residents displaced.

Trump’s Visit and Regional Diplomacy

President Trump, who played a key role in securing the ceasefire, is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday morning. His visit will include meetings with families of hostages and an address to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

A large U.S. flag draped Jerusalem’s City Hall complex on Sunday night, while American and Israeli flags were projected onto the walls of the Old City. After his meetings in Israel, Trump will travel to Egypt to attend a regional “peace summit” alongside Middle Eastern and international leaders. He is expected to return to Washington by early Tuesday.

Ceasefire Faces Unresolved Challenges

Despite optimism over the ceasefire and upcoming releases, several key disputes remain unresolved. Israel insists that Hamas must disarm completely, while Hamas demands a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

The question of Gaza’s long-term governance also looms large. Hamas has controlled the enclave for nearly two decades, and discussions continue about potential transitional administration models involving Palestinian and international authorities.

Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas, reports that over 67,600 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, about half of them women and children. While Israel disputes these figures, the United Nations and independent analysts regard the ministry’s statistics as the most comprehensive available estimate of casualties to date.

Path Ahead: Fragile Hope Amid Deep Division

The coming days are expected to test whether the ceasefire can evolve into a sustainable peace process or collapse under mutual mistrust. For now, families across both sides — waiting for hostages, prisoners, and news of their loved ones — are clinging to cautious hope that this fragile moment of calm might endure.