Gaza Ceasefire: All 20 Israeli Hostages Freed, Trump Makes Surprise Middle East Visit

Times Square Global Live | Special Report
Gaza Ceasefire: All 20 Israeli Hostages Freed, Trump Makes Surprise Middle East Visit

Date: October 13, 2025, 8:03 AM EST
By: Times Square Global Live Editorial Team

Ceasefire and Hostage Release Mark a Turning Point

The Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed that a second group of 13 Israeli hostages has been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross and is now en route to Israeli military and security units. Earlier today, Hamas released the first group of 7 hostages, bringing the total number of survivors freed to 20.

Under the exchange agreement, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees from Gaza. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the names and photos of those freed, including Eitan Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal.

Crowds gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv erupted in cheers, waving Israeli flags and banners reading “They Are Home.”

Trump’s Lightning Visit to the Middle East

U.S. President Donald Trump departed Washington aboard Air Force One early this morning for a surprise visit to the Middle East following his role in brokering the landmark ceasefire.
He will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, with confirmed attendees including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also expected to attend the Cairo summit, aimed at finalizing an agreement to end the Gaza war.

Speaking on board, Trump told reporters: “Everyone is cheering together—this has never happened before. I’m honored to be part of it.” He added that a Peace Committee will soon be established to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, describing the region as “a demolition site ready for renewal.”

Deadly Internal Clashes in Gaza Leave 27 Dead

Despite the ceasefire, internal violence has erupted in Gaza City, where Hamas security forces clashed with members of the powerful Dughmush family militia, resulting in at least 27 deaths.

Witnesses reported chaos as hundreds of armed Hamas fighters stormed the Dughmush stronghold in Tel al-Hawa, forcing families to flee. “This time,” one resident said, “we weren’t fleeing Israeli attacks—we were fleeing our own people.”

The Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry stated that it has redeployed 7,000 security personnel to restore order and warned that “any armed activity outside the framework of resistance” will be severely punished.

Global Calls for Stability and Reconstruction

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for immediate coordination among all parties to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and to launch a robust reconstruction plan.
World leaders hailed the ceasefire as both a diplomatic milestone and a crucial step toward lasting peace in the Middle East.