Commendations have begun to troop in for the United States President Donald Trump after Hamas on Monday released remaining Israeli hostages.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Trump has been praised for his efforts in securing a deal that ensured the release of Israeli hostages.
The total of all the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages held captive for nearly two years has returned home as of press time.
The emotional scenes unfolded on October 13, 2025, as the first batch of seven hostages crossed into Israeli territory under Red Cross supervision.
The first seven released by Hamas were Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, and Eitan Mor.
Later, the last 13 Israeli hostages were released. Their names are: Elkana Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Evyatar David, Rom Braslabski, Segev Kalfon, Maxim Herkin, Bar Kupershtein, Eitan Horn, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Matan Zangauker, Nimrod Cohen.
In response, Israel has also dispatched buses carrying Palestinian prisoners to Ramallah, the de facto Palestinian capital of the occupied West Bank.
It was gathered that about 1,700 detainees from Gaza and 250 Palestinian prisoners are being released today as part of the ceasefire deal.
The Israeli military and security service has also confirmed the release of the Israeli hostages.
“According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip,” the statement read, adding that the Israeli military “is prepared to receive additional hostages expected to be transferred later on.”
Reacting to the development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump over the release of the Israeli hostages.
“Donald Trump is the greatest friend that the State of Israel has ever had in the White House,” Netanyahu says, a remark met with chants of “Trump” in the chamber.
Netanyahu described Trump’s peace proposal as a “pivotal” step towards peace, adding: “I’m committed to this peace, you are committed to this peace, and together we will achieve this peace.”
“Today the Jewish calendar marks the end of two years of war.
“Because of these heroes, our nation will survive… thrive… and will have peace,” the prime minister added.
Meanwhile, Trump has declared the “war is over” in Gaza, just hours before touching down in Israel for a diplomatic push in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the region, Trump emphasized the end of the two-year conflict that has ravaged Gaza since Hamas’s devastating October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
The U.S President’s remarks come as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire enters its third day.
“The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” Trump, 79, said when asked if he was confident that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas was finished.
Asked if the ceasefire would hold, he added: “I think it’s going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It’s been centuries.”
“Everybody’s very excited about this moment in time. This is a very special event,” Trump added.
Recall that the Trump administration’s 20-point peace deal roadmap, unveiled in late September, includes phased prisoner swaps, partial Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza, and the creation of a multinational stabilisation force led by the United States.
The plan also envisions the establishment of a new governing authority for Gaza, to be headed by Trump himself under a US-led coordination mechanism.
Despite lingering tensions, both Israel and Hamas have signalled readiness to implement the first phase of the deal. Two Hamas officials confirmed that the group had “completed all preparations” to hand over all living hostages, though negotiations continue over the inclusion of seven senior Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s release list.
