On October 12, President Trump, en route to Israel, told reporters that Hamas may release the remaining hostages “a little early.” He also mentioned that the conflict in Gaza had ended, with the U.S. receiving “oral assurances” from all parties to implement a peace agreement, leading the Middle East towards normalization.
The ceasefire in Israel had entered its third day, with preparations to receive the detained hostages ongoing. In exchange, Israel was set to release 250 convicted Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile offenders like murderers. At the same time, Israel agreed to withdraw its forces to an agreed-upon boundary line.
According to Israeli media reports on Monday, the release process of Israeli hostages detained in Gaza was set to start at 8 am local time at the Netzarim Corridor, continuing in Khan Younis at 10 am.
Trump spoke about the significance of this trip aboard Air Force One, expressing optimism that the war had ended, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not publicly committing to its conclusion.
“I can tell you that everyone is happy, whether it’s Jewish or Muslim, or Arab countries – every nation is dancing in the streets. They’ve never seen anything like this in 3,000 years. If you like one side, you don’t like the other; if you like the other, you don’t like the former. And this is the first time they’ve seen everyone united.”
When asked about the future of the Middle East region, Trump said, “I believe it will normalize.”
Netanyahu, in a televised statement, remarked, “Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new path. A path of construction, a path of healing, and I hope – a path of unity.”
Trump was scheduled to visit Israel and deliver a speech at the Israeli parliament, becoming the first U.S. president since George W. Bush to address the institution.
Vice President JD Vance stated that Trump was likely to meet with the recently released hostages.
Next, Trump would travel to Egypt to co-host a summit with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in Sharm el-Sheikh, involving leaders from over twenty countries to discuss peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East region.
A senior Palestinian official revealed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would also attend the summit.
The Israeli government spokesperson confirmed that the hostages would begin to be released early Monday morning, with all 20 surviving hostages being set free together, followed by the transfer of the remains of the remaining 28 deceased hostages.
As per the ceasefire agreement, Hamas had until Monday noon to complete the releases.
While the detailed execution of the agreement posed challenges, Trump stated he had received “oral assurance” from Israel, Hamas, and key regional participants that the agreement wouldn’t fall through, adding, “I think they wouldn’t want to disappoint me.”
Under Trump’s peace plan, Gaza would be governed by a temporary, apolitical Palestinian Technocratic Commission responsible for managing the area’s daily public services and municipal affairs.
The commission would comprise qualified Palestinians and international experts, operating under the oversight of a new international body, the Peace Committee, chaired by Trump.
On October 10, Trump remarked, “I think you’re going to have great success, and Gaza is going to be rebuilt. And you know, there are some very wealthy countries out there. It would only take a little bit out of their wealth to do that. And I think they’re willing to do that.”
The U.S.-proposed peace plan outlined conditions for a credible path to Palestinian self-determination and state-building once the Palestinian Authority completed reform measures.
The plan also aimed to make Gaza a terrorism-free zone to ensure it doesn’t pose a threat in the future. After hostilities ceased, the Gaza Strip would receive comprehensive aid.
Both Trump and Netanyahu made it clear that Hamas would not play any role in governing Gaza.
“All military, terror, and offensive infrastructures, including tunnels and weapons production facilities, will be demolished and not rebuilt,” the plan stated. “No one will be forcibly removed from Gaza; those who wish to leave can do so freely and may return freely.”
While the ceasefire brought joy to the people of Gaza, residents returning to the city faced a landscape of post-war ruins. Rescue workers also warned of possible unexploded bombs and other explosive remnants in the area.
Aid organizations estimated that 300,000 tents were needed to temporarily house up to 1.5 million displaced Gazans, highlighting the immense challenges of post-war reconstruction.