Hamas Releases Hostages in Ceasefire, Trump Celebrates in Israel

Deir Al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Oct 13 (AP) Hamas freed the last 20 remaining hostages on Monday as part of a ceasefire agreement, concluding two years of conflict that ravaged the Gaza Strip and claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives.

President Donald Trump marked the occasion by visiting Israel, celebrating the US-mediated ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas. He announced the deal as a substantial step towards ending the war and laying the groundwork for lasting peace in the Middle East.

As part of the arrangement, Israel released more than 1,900 Palestinian detainees and agreed to facilitate a surge of food and aid into famine-stricken Gaza. Trump is scheduled to discuss the US-proposed deal and subsequent plans with other global leaders in Egypt later on Monday.

Latest Updates: Palestinian Prisoners Arrive in Egypt An Egyptian official revealed that 154 Palestinian prisoners released and deported by Israel arrived at the Rafah crossing from Gaza into Egypt. These individuals are to be relocated to third countries as part of the ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas. The official, speaking under anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss media details, indicated the released prisoners are part of the over 1,900 Palestinians freed in exchange for the hostages held by Hamas.

Trump Speaks on Netanyahu's Legal Troubles Amid the events, Trump expressed an unprecedented opinion regarding Israeli domestic politics, urging for a pardon of Netanyahu on corruption charges. While diverging from his prepared speech, Trump remarked to Netanyahu, “You're a very popular man. You know why? Because you know how to win.” Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be indicted, faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery. Despite the controversies, Trump defended him by saying, “Whether we like it or not, this has been one of the greatest wartime presidents ... and cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that.”

Iraqi Leader's Stand at the Summit Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, attending a summit in Egypt to consolidate peace in Gaza, threatened to withdraw if Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu attended. However, Netanyahu's office declared he would not attend due to a Jewish holiday. The summit, co-chaired by Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Trump, was expected to include numerous global leaders.

Trump Concludes Knesset Speech President Trump wrapped up his expansive address to the Knesset after extending it well past an hour. His intention is to continue to Egypt for a summit involving numerous nations, although his trip is notably behind schedule.

In his speech to the Israeli parliament, Trump emphasized the imperative for Palestinians to focus on strengthening their community. Preceded by speeches from Israeli leaders, Trump continued speaking long past his scheduled departure to the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he joked about potentially arriving after proceedings have ended, saying, “I'll be going there. I'll be quite late. They might not be there by the time I get there, but we'll give it a shot.”

Celebrations in the West Bank Palestinians celebrated in the occupied West Bank as prisoners liberated in the exchange with Israel left Ofer Prison for Beitunia. In scenes of jubilation, crowds gathered outside the Ramallah Palace of Culture, waving flags and wearing keffiyehs. Highlighting the harsh realities faced by Palestinian detainees, Kamal Abu Shanab, a 51-year-old Fatah member, described his ordeal. Abu Shanab, who had drastically lost weight during his 18 1/2-year imprisonment for involvement in attacks against Israelis, shared, “It was an indescribable journey of suffering — hunger, unfair treatment, oppression, torture and curses — more than anything you could imagine.”

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