Hope for peace: Israel and Hamas agree to release hostages!

Hope for peace: Israel and Hamas agree to release hostages!

On October 13, 2025, decisive progress was made in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Media reports show that all 20 living Israeli hostages have been released in an unprecedented exchange. In return, 2,000 Palestinians were released from Israeli custody, raising hopes for a lasting solution to the conflicts in the region. Donald Trump, speaking to the Israeli parliament, called the day “great” and expressed confidence that further progress can be made in the negotiations. The first talks on a peace plan he presented also began in Egypt, where both Israeli and Hamas negotiators approved an agreement in the first phase of the plan.

With the release of hostages and prisoners, a ceasefire came into force, which will initially last for 72 hours. President Trump emphasized that humanitarian aid will be expanded to around two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and announced that a gradual handover of the hostages is planned in the next few days. According to reports from the United Nations Emergency Relief Office (OCHA), 170,000 tons of relief supplies have already been deployed to help those in need on the ground. In addition, around 600 trucks are expected to drive into the Gaza Strip every day with humanitarian aid.

The peace summit and future negotiations

A peace summit took place in Egypt in the afternoon, which is seen as a significant step towards a possible end to the violence. During the talks, Israel thanked the main mediator from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey for their support. Turkish President Erdogan announced that Turkey will actively participate in monitoring the implementation of the planned Gaza plan.

The first phase of the plan includes, among other things, the immediate release of almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 who were sentenced to life imprisonment. This is seen by many as a test of the agreement's credibility. What is critical, however, is that Israel has spoken out against the release of certain prisoners demanded by Hamas, which could cause tensions.

The situation in the Gaza Strip

Despite the agreements reached, tensions remain high. Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip reportedly continued, although the situation now appears to be regulated. A Hamas representative reported ongoing bombings that could undermine the agreement. The Israeli military warned of dangerous combat zones, which further complicates the handover of hostages and prisoners.

At the international level, the agreement is seen as a significant diplomatic achievement. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for full compliance with the agreement and pointed out the need to ensure sustainable peace in the region. Chancellor Friedrich Merz also expressed optimism, but urged caution when implementing the steps.

Overall, it remains to be seen whether these developments can pave the way to long-term peace. The focus now turns to further negotiations on the second phase of the peace plan, which should begin immediately. Given the complexities in the Middle East, this could be a truly long road.