The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has accused Hamas of a “blatant breach” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement as only four of the 28 bodies of the deceased are set to be returned to Israel today.
Earlier today Hamas said the bodies of four hostages will be handed over today, with the Israeli military reporting that the Red Cross is travelling to southern Gaza to collect “several coffins” of hostages as part of an agreement where all Israeli hostages, alive and dead, are to be returned.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hamas where he said on X that “any delay or deliberate avoidance will be considered a gross violation of the agreement and will be responded to accordingly.”
It comes as Donald Trump left Israel for Egypt aboard Air Force One this afternoon following a lengthy address to the Israeli parliament on their achievements.
Emotional reunions took place across Israel, Gaza and the West Bank on Monday morning, after all 20 living Israeli hostages and captives were released by Hamas, before hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners were released by Israel.
Key Points
- Trump leaves Israel for Egypt summit
- What's going on in Egypt today - and who is attending the summit?
- Bodies of only four deceased hostages to be returned today
- Israeli MPs stage pro-Palestine protest during Trump speech
- Israel confirms all 20 living hostages and captives have been released by Hamas
- Emotional scenes as freed Palestinians detainees arrive in Ramallah
- In pictures: Palestinians held in Israeli prisons return to Khan Younis
Scotland's first minister says two-state solution must be allowed to prevail to end conflict between Israel and Palestine
16:40 , Bryony GoochScotland’s first minister John Swinney has said a “two-state solution” must be allowed to prevail, to end the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
He said images of hostages being released and families reunited were “deeply moving, deeply humbling” and “remind us that even in the darkest of days, hope can prevail”.
But he said that nations “must all step up to secure the peace”.
Mr Swinney said: “To turn hope into reality for Israel and Palestine, for the displaced, the distraught and the destitute, aid must flow.”
He added: “Every life is sacred and of equal value.
“And every family, whether Palestinian or Israeli, deserves to live in peace and dignity.
“A two-state solution must be delivered and peace must prevail.”
Aid expected to surge in Gaza
16:30 , Bryony GoochHumanitarian organizations have said they're preparing to surge aid into the Gaza Strip, especially food that's been in short supply in many areas.
That included some 400 trucks from Egypt on Sunday that will have to undergo Israeli inspection before being distributed in the strip. The Israeli defense body in charge of humanitarian aid in Gaza said around 600 trucks of aid per day will be entering soon, under the ceasefire agreement.
The world's leading authority on food crises said in August that the Gaza Strip's largest city was gripped by a famine that was likely to spread across the territory without a ceasefire and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said famine was devastating Gaza City — home to hundreds of thousands of people. That famine was expected to spread south to the cities of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by around now if the situation did not change. The larger task of rebuilding Gaza is daunting, as much of it is in rubble and most of its two million residents displaced.
In pictures: Palestinians held in Israeli prisons return to Khan Younis
16:26 , Bryony Gooch
IDF and ISA say two additional coffins expected as Red Cross collect half expected deceased hostages on Monday
16:22 , Bryony GoochAccording to information provided by the Red Cross, two coffins of deceased hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF and ISA forces said: “Following this, there will be an additional transfer of another two coffins of deceased hostages. Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages.”
Hostages call for immediate suspension of agreement implementation until all the deceased are returned
16:15 , Bryony GoochThe Hostages Families Forum is calling for the immediate suspension of all agreement implementation “until every deceased individual is returned.”
They said: “Hamas’s violation of the agreement must be met with a very serious response from the government and the mediators.
“An agreement must be honored by both sides. If Hamas does not fulfill their part, Israel should not fulfill its part either.
“We demand all 28 hostages back. We will not give up on anyone, until the last hostage is returned.”
Trump walks back some of what he said about a possible deal with Iran in Israel
16:11 , Bryony GoochSpeaking in Egypt, Trump has walked back what he said earlier about a possible deal with Iran. he said: " I think Iran will come along, and they've been battered and bruised and you know, they're, they're, they need some help.
“They're big sanctions, as you know, tremendous sanctions. I'd love to take the sanctions off when they're ready to talk, but they can't really survive with those sanctions. Those sanctions are very tough, but at some point they're going to say, we want the sanctions off.
“We're going to end up with peace. I think Iran is going to be fine. I know so many Iranian people. They're great people. They're smart, great, great people, engineers, lawyers. I mean, they're academics, but the they took a big hit."
Egypt "played a very important role" in the peace process, says Trump
16:09 , Bryony GoochReporting by Andrew Feinberg, Washington DC correspondent.
US president Donald Trump has praised Egypt for playing a “very important role in the peace process.”
He said of Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi: "We're having an amazing period of time like I think nobody's seen before, and we had tremendous stuff, as, you know, in Israel, and now we're in a country where a friend of mine is a very powerful leader, and my friend is right here, the president, also the general.
“You know, sometimes I call him, usually I call him the general, because he's both, and he's good at both, and they've done a fantastic job, and they have very little crime because they don't play games.
“That's why they don't play games like we do in the United States, with governors that have no idea what they're doing, but they don't have crime. I ask about crime, and they almost don't even know what I'm talking about.
“So it's, it's a great tribute to this man, he's done a fantastic job in bringing this country together and the United States is with him all the way."
Hamas hands over remains of two deceased hostages to ICRC
16:07 , Bryony GoochHamas has handed over the remains of two deceased Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, an official involved in the operation has told Reuters.
Initially four of the 28 dead hostages were expected to be handed over today in a move that has sparked ire from the families of hostages and Israeli defence minister Israel Katz.
Katz said on X: “Any delay or deliberate avoidance will be considered a gross violation of the agreement and will be responded to accordingly.”
Watch: Moment hostage Evyatar David met by Israel Defence Forces after release
16:00 , Bryony GoochEgypt's Sisi discusses coordination over Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction with Western and Arab officials
15:55 , Bryony GoochEgypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a meeting on Monday with the presidents of France and Turkey, and Qatar's emir and others to help coordinate the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction efforts for the enclave, according to a statement by the Egyptian president's office.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of an international summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh to finalise an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
In pictures: Trump arrives on AIr Force One at Shark El Sheikh International Airport for ceasefire summit
15:50 , Bryony Gooch
Trump has landed in Egypt for ceasefire summit
15:40 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump has officially landed in Egypt where he will attend a ceasefire summit.
The summit, set to address Gaza’s future, is expected to see more than two dozen countries represented. Trump is hosting alongside Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited but declined, with his office saying it was too close to a Jewish holiday.
Joy, relief and tears: Overwhelming emotions as Israeli hostages are finally reunited with their families after more than 730 days in captivity
15:28 , Bryony Gooch
Emotional moment Israeli hostages reunited with families after 737 days in captivity
Red Cross on its way to receive coffins of hostages as Israeli defence minister issues stark warning to Hamas
15:16 , Bryony GoochIsrael’s military has said the Red Cross is on its way to a point in the southern Gaza Strip where several coffins of hostages are set to be handed over.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned that an announcement by Palestinian militant group Hamas to hand over four bodies of Israeli hostages is a "failure to meet commitments".
"Any delay or deliberate avoidance will be considered a gross violation of the agreement and will be responded to accordingly," Katz said in a post on X.
The agreement says that within 72 hours of the military's redeployment, all 48 hostages are to be released from the Gaza Strip and handed over to Israeli security forces - 20 who are known to be alive and 28 who have died.
Hamas previously indicated that recovering the bodies of some dead hostages may take longer, as not all burial sites are known.
63 dead and 39 wounded arrive at Gaza hospitals, health ministry says
15:12 , Bryony GoochThe Palestinian health ministry for Gaza has said that 39 injured people have arrived at hospitals in Gaza, with a further 63 dead in the past 24 hours.
A number of victims are still under the rubble and on the streets, with ambulance and civil defence teams unable to reach them yet.
The death toll has risen to 67,869 with 170,105 injured since October 7, 2023, the ministry said.
Return of four hostage bodies a 'failure to meet commitments' - Israeli minister
14:59 , Alex CroftThe return of just four of the 28 bodies of Israeli hostages to Gaza on Monday was a “failure to meet commitments”, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz has said.
“The urgent mission to which we are all committed now is to ensure the return of all the abducted bodies home,” Mr Katz wrote.
“Hamas's announcement about the expected return of 4 bodies today is a failure to meet commitments.
“Any delay or deliberate avoidance will be considered a gross violation of the agreement and will be responded to accordingly.”
It is not clear when the remaining 24 bodies will be sent back to Israel.
המשימה הדחופה שכולנו מחויבים לה כעת היא לוודא את החזרת כל החטופים החללים הביתה.
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) October 13, 2025
הודעת חמאס על החזרה צפויה של 4 גופות היום היא אי עמידה בהתחייבויות.
כל עיכוב או הימנעות מכוונת ייחשבו כהפרה בוטה של ההסכם וייענו בהתאם.
Pictured: Trump leaves Israel for Egypt summit
14:38 , Alex CroftDonald Trump is leaving Israel for Egypt, where he will meet with world leaders including UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron and and EU Council president Antonio Costa.
The president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, will also attend the summit at Sharm El-Sheikh, where the leaders will discuss how to approach next steps in the Gaza ceasefire plan.
Trump’s team given ‘rock star’ welcome by Israeli parliament chanting Witkoff’s name
14:26 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump’s team were welcomed with rapturous applause at the Israeli Knesset on Monday.
Speaker Amir Ohana thanked the team for their work towards securing peace.
Ambassador Mike Huckabee was welcomed as “my dear friend and my absolute favourite rockstar”, and lawmakers chanted special envoy Steve Witkoff’s name.
Trump’s team given ‘rock star’ welcome by Israeli parliament chanting Witkoff’s name
Moment wife of Israeli hostage tells daughters "daddy is back"
14:11 , James ReynoldsThis is the emotional moment the wife of an Israeli hostage called their daughters to tell them “daddy is back” after their father’s release from Gaza.
The last 20 living hostages being held were returned to Israel on Monday after more than two years in captivity.
Lishay Miran-Lavi, wife of Omri Miran, can be seen on a video call with her daughters Roni and Alma:
Wife of Israeli hostage calls daughters to tell them ‘daddy is back’ after release
Donald Trump to attend summit in Egypt
14:09 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump’s motorcade has arrived back at Ben Gurion Airport, where Air Force One will take him to Egypt to join the ‘peace summit’ of world leaders.
Trump is running around three hours behind schedule.
Germany urges Trump to extend Middle East influence to Ukraine war
14:06 , James ReynoldsGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for continued U.S. engagement in resolving the war in Ukraine, expressing the hope that President Donald Trump would exercise the same influence as in the Middle East.
Speaking in Sharm El-Sheikh ahead of a summit with Trump and other global leaders to cement the Gaza truce, Merz said the meeting in Egypt showed that the end of war is possible if the international community stands together.
UK ready to help ensure peace and disarm Hamas: Starmer
14:02 , James ReynoldsThe UK is ready to assist in monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza and helping to disarm Hamas, Sir Keir Starmer said at the summit in Egypt on Monday.
The prime minister said Britain was ready to “play its full part” in ensuring that the current ceasefire results in a lasting peace.
He also offered the UK’s experience in Northern Ireland to help in the decommissioning of Hamas’ military capability, as set out in Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
Bodies of only four deceased hostages to be returned today
13:45 , James ReynoldsFamilies of hostages who died in Gaza were “shocked and dismayed” to learn that only four bodies of deceased captives will be returned on Monday.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said their return, from 28 bodies still held by Hamas, was a “blatant breach of the agreement” by the Palestinian group.
“We expect Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice,” they said.
“The families of the deceased hostages are enduring especially difficult days filled with deep sorrow. We will not abandon any hostage.”
In pictures: Trump and Netanyahu shake hands at the Knesset
13:40 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump wraps up speech to Knesset after more than an hour
13:31 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump concluded his rambling speech to the Knesset after a little more than an hour.
The president ended his remarks to another round of rapturous applause from lawmakers.
"We are going to have hope, harmony, opportunity and happiness here in the spiritual and geographic centre of the entire world,” he summed up.
"That's what you are, Israel. America and all of the nations of the Middle East will soon be safer, stronger, greater and more prosperous than ever.”
Members of the Knesset rushed to the door to shake his hand on the way out.
Trump’s planned visit to Egypt is now hours behind schedule.
Trump tells Netanyahu 'now you can be a bit nicer because you're not at war'
13:10 , Alex CroftTrump calls on Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu
13:10 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has called on Israeli president Isaac Herzog to give Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a pardon.
The Israeli prime minister faces corruption charges, including for breach of trust, accepting bribes and fraud. The trial began in May 2020, and the defence begun its case on December 2024.
As Israeli members of the Knesset whooped and cheered, with many giving him a standing ovation, Mr Herzog stood up and looked around awkwardly.
Chants of ‘Bibi, Bibi’ rang out throughout the Knesset.
What challenges lie ahead for peace negotiations?
13:02 , Alex CroftA summit in Egypt will kick off what is likely to be a protracted round of negotiations to fulfill the 20-point ceasefire plan agreed by Israel and Hamas.
The negotiations will have to tackle the issues of disarming Hamas, creating a post-war government for Gaza and the extent of Israel's withdrawal from the territory. Trump's plan also stipulates that regional and international partners will work to develop the core of a new Palestinian security force.
Another major issue is raising funds for rebuilding Gaza. The World Bank, and Egypt's postwar plan, estimate reconstruction and recovery needs in Gaza at $53 billion. Egypt plans to host a future reconstruction conference.
Before the truce was agreed on, Israel and Hamas — staunch enemies who have little trust in each other and a number of failed negotiations behind them — held negotiations in Doha, Qatar's capital, through indirect talks, with Egypt and Qatar as meditators.
Iran, a main backer of Hamas, is also not attending the summit in Egypt as the Islamic Republic finds itself at one of its weakest moments since its 1979 revolution. Iranian officials portrayed the ceasefire deal as a victory for Hamas.
The deal however, underlined Iran's waning influence in the region and revived concerns over possible renewed conflict with Israel as it still struggles to recover from the 12-day war in June.
Pictured: Moment MKs escorted from Israeli parliament after protest
12:45 , Alex Croft
Trump says 'long nightmare' finally over for Israelis and Palestinians
12:42 , Alex CroftTrump has told Israeli parliamentarians that a "long nightmare" was finally over for Israelis and Palestinians alike after the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal was agreed between Israel and Hamas.
"The forces of chaos that have plagued the region are totally defeated," he said in a speech before Israel's parliament.
“We’ve achieved the most challenging breakthrough of them all, the most challenging breakthrough maybe ever,” he said.
The US president then described the war in the Middle East as the “grandaddy of them all”, declaring that it is “finally over”.
In pictures: Palestinians and Israelis reunite with loved ones
12:34 , Alex Croft
Israeli MKs stage pro-Palestine protest during Trump speech
12:20 , Alex CroftTwo MKs in the Israeli Knesset has appeared to stage a short protest during Donald Trump’s speech in the Israeli Knesset.
Shouting erupted in the hall before the MPs was escorted out.
Knesset members Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif were removed from the hall after raising a sign reading "genocide” during Trump’s speech, according to the Clash Report.
Samuel Sokol, a political reporter for The Times of Israel, said they were holding signs calling to “recognise Palestine”.
Mr Odeh and Mr Cassif are part of the left-wing Haddash coalition, which has been highly critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Hadash-Ta’al MKs Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif removed from Trump’s speech after holding up signs calling to “recognize Palestine.”
— Sam Sokol (@SamuelSokol) October 13, 2025
Trump quips that the ejection was “very efficient.” pic.twitter.com/0tvs7JbSAS
Trump declares 'historic dawn of a new Middle East'
12:11 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has declared a “historic dawn of a new Middle East” in an address to the Israeli Knesset.
“After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace,” he said.
“This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.
“It is an incredible triumph for Israel and the world to have all of these nations working together as partners in peace. Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change.”
Analysis | Israel’s Knesset has declared Trump the Middle East’s peacemaker-in-chief – but it’s not quite so simple
12:07 , Alex CroftWorld leaders, diplomatic insiders, and much of the media are celebrating a ceasefire in Gaza calling it a “peace deal” and endorsing President Donald Trump’s now unsuccessful campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize.
After the release of all the living Israeli hostages by Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu and the Knesset cheered the arrival of the US president in Israel, heaping platitude after platitude on him, claiming that his election meant that “overnight, everything changed”.
US secretary of state Marc Rubio insisted the turning point came when Trump convened meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September.
Our world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
Israel has declared Trump the peacemaker-in-chief – but it’s not so simple
UN chief says he is 'profoundly relieved'
11:57 , Alex CroftUN secretary-general Antonio Guterres says he is "profoundly relieved" that the Israeli hostages in Gaza have regained their freedom and will be reunited with their families after the "immense suffering" they have endured.
Mr Guterres reiterated his call for the release of the remains of the deceased hostages. The statement was issued from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where world leaders were gathering to throw their weight behind the Gaza ceasefire deal.
"I urge all parties to build on this momentum and to honour their commitments under the ceasefire to end the nightmare in Gaza," he said.
"The United Nations is working to support all efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of civilians."
Starmer meets Palestinian president Abbas in Egypt
11:56 , Alex Croft
'I'm committed to this peace', says Netanyahu
11:46 , Alex CroftNetanyahu is still addressing the Israeli Knesset. He has thanked the US for its “bold decision” during the 12-day conflict with Iran.
He said the US president’s peace proposal was a "pivotal" step towards peace, and added: "I'm committed to this peace, you are committed to this peace, and together we will achieve this peace."
After Trump became president in January “everything changed overnight”, he added.
“Thanks to your unequivocal backing of Israel, we secured a second hostage deal within weeks of your election.
“In the months that followed, we worked closely together to forge a path to bring the remaining hostages home, end the war in a way that ensures the disarming of Hamas, the demilitarisation of Gaza, and that Gaza would never again pose a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu added.
Starmer says he shares 'deep feeling of relief' with families of Israeli hostages
11:42 , Alex CroftOur political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has said he shares the “deep feeling of relief” with the families of Israeli hostages released by Hamas, adding it was now “crucial” to implement Donald Trump’s peace plan in the Middle East.
Speaking about Avintan Or, who was released today, the PM said: "This is also a stark reminder of the treatment that he has been subject to at the hands of Hamas, and the atrocities that shook the world two years ago.
"Having met his family, I know that no one can truly understand the torture and agony they suffered for two drawn out years and my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are also with the family of Yossi Sharabi, who are still waiting for news."
He added: "I reiterate my thanks for the tireless diplomatic efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye. It is now crucial that we work together to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and that will be my focus in Egypt today.
"Commitment to this plan from all parties will be essential to ending the war and building the foundations for a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support the crucial next stage of talks to ensure the implementation of the peace plan."
Donald Trump unsure whether Tony Blair would be ‘popular’ choice for Gaza role
11:36 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has questioned whether Sir Tony Blair would serve on a new “Board of Peace” that is intended to oversee the governance of Gaza, amid ongoing criticisms of the former prime minister for his role in the Iraq war.
Sir Tony, who met the deputy chief of the Palestinian Authority on Sunday, took the UK into the controversial Iraq war in 2003 and then served as Middle East envoy for the quartet of international powers – the US, the EU, Russia and the UN – after leaving office.
Earlier this month, Mr Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan for the Middle East, saying Sir Tony would be among a group of international leaders that would oversee a transitional governing committee for Gaza.
But asked whether he had spoken with Sir Tony about the possibility of his involvement in the peace plan, the US president told reporters: “I have, but first I want to find out that Tony would be popular with all, because I just don’t know that.
“I like Tony, I have always liked Tony. But I want to find out that he is an acceptable choice to everybody.”
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke brings the full report:
Donald Trump unsure whether Tony Blair would be ‘popular’ choice for Gaza role
Palestinian detainees reunite with families following release from Israeli prison
11:33 , Alex Croft
Netanyahu: Trump is the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House
11:32 , Alex CroftBenjamin Netanyahu is now addressing parliament, where he is lavishing praise on Donald Trump.
He thanked Trump for recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, for recognising the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights as Israeli territory, and for “recognising in your 2020 peace plan our rights in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people”.
He also thanks Trump for ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’, the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the summer.
“Donald Trump is the greatest friend that the State of Israel has ever had in the White House,” Netanyahu added.
Crowds gather as first buses of freed Palestinian detainees reach Ramallah
11:26 , Alex CroftIsraeli PMs office says Netanyahu will no longer travel to Egypt for summit
11:25 , Alex CroftIsraeli prime minister Netanyahu's office says he will not travel to Egypt for summit due to Jewish holiday.
An Egyptian presidential spokesperson had previously said that “both Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take part in the peace summit to solidify the agreement to end the war in Gaza and reaffirm their commitment to it”.
Our White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg had reported that Netanyahu decided to go following a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, along with Donald Trump, while they were in Israel on Monday.
Donald Trump addresses the Israeli Knesset
11:03 , Alex CroftUS president Donald Trump has arrived in the Israeli Knesset, ready for his speech to Israeli parliamentarians.
Cheers erupted through the room as Donald Trump received a lengthy standing ovation.
The speaker of the parliament is now listing the members of the US delegation in the room, each of whom received a standing ovation.
Chants of “Witkoff, Witkoff” were heard after US special envoy Steve Witkoff’s name was read out.
Netanyahu decided to go to peace summit after Trump called Egyptian president
10:59 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports:
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's last-minute decision to attend the peace summit taking place in Egypt today came after President Donald Trump placed a call to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi with Netanyahu present.
A White House official said Trump "brokered the call" and stressed that Netanyahu is now going at el-Sisi's invitation.
In pictures: Hostages arrive back in Israel
10:58 , Alex Croft
Emotional scenes as first buses of freed Palestinians detainees arrive in Ramallah
10:56 , Alex CroftIn Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank The Independent’s Rateb Qaissy is waiting with anxious families of those who are slated to be released today.
There were emotional scenes as families who have struggled to get hold of any information have started to receive phone calls telling them the buses are on their way from Ofer prison.
Amid the large crowds gathered outside a cultural centre that has become the reunion post, is Waseem Amar, from Qalqiya who is waiting for her father, who was all arrested in 2003 on charges of killing settler and has been sentenced to life in prison.
The family have had no information about his status or condition for over two years she told The Independent. After she spoke her mother got a phone call saying that he was on his way from Ofer.
“I can’t describe the fillings, it’s like a dream, I can only believe it when I see him,” she told The Independent in tears.
“We hope to have a better life in the future with our father - a father is the column of any family. We just want to have peace we have suffered enough. We hope and pray to God that this brings actual peace.”
According to the deal, nearly 2000 Palestinians were due to be released from Israeli prison on Monday - including 250 serving life sentences, and at least 1700 from Gaza who have been detained since 7 October 2023, among them 22 children.
The Independent understands that the 1700 from Gaza have been held as “unlawful combatants”, meaning they have not be tried or convicted of anything.
The unlawful combatant law allows Israel to hold people indefinitely without charge - a move criticised by rights groups as legalising incommunicado detention, enforced disappearances, and violating international law.
What's going on in Egypt today - and who is attending?
10:43 , Alex CroftWorld leaders are flocking to the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday, to finalise a Gaza ceasefire.
News broke in the past two hours that both Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas will attend the summit. It is the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to Egypt since 2021.
The international summit in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday aims to finalise an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, an Egyptian presidential spokesperson said on Saturday.
Sir Keir Starmer touched down in Egypt late last night, French president Emmanuel Macron, and EU Council president Antonio Costa are all expected to be in attendance.
Former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair, who may take on a role in post-war peacebuilding in Gaza, is also expected to attend the summit.
Both Netanyahu and Palestinian president Abbas to attend Egypt ceasefire summit
10:26 , Alex CroftIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will attend Monday's summit on ending the Gaza war in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, an Egyptian presidential spokesperson said.
"Both Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take part in the peace summit to solidify the agreement to end the war in Gaza and reaffirm their commitment to it," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also said U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu held a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi while they were in Israel on Monday.
Why does Trump constantly want to bail out Starmer from humiliation?
10:23 , Alex CroftOur political editor David Maddox reports:
The intervention by Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, this morning to spare the blushes of Sir Keir Starmer is significant.
The US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckerbee and the Israeli government had humiliated the British government by pouring scorn on a statement by Bridget Phillipson claiming the UK had played a significant role in getting a Middle East peace deal.
But as the UK PM faced international embarrassment ahead of flying out to Egypt for the Gaza deal signing, the Trump administration came to his aid.
Witkoff, almost certainly under instruction from the US president, posted: “I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel. In particular, I want to recognize the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell.”
This is not the first time by any means that Trump has come to the aid of Starmer. He did so with the Chagos Islands deal, allowing Lord Mandelson to be the ambassador to the US, with trade and with public pronouncements on what a strong negotiator and good man the PM is.
It may be that Trump likes and respects Starmer as an international statesman who has made an effort to reach out to him.
But this is the most transactional president in US history. The fact is that the honour of the state visit played a big role and now the hope that King Charles will be at the White House in 2026 for the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Added to that, sources have suggested that the US administration “cannot allow Britain to fail” because “it needs one ally to succeed to justify the president’s approach to foreign policy.”
First pictures of Israeli hostage reuniting with family
10:19 , Alex Croft
Watch: Drones drop warning leaflets outside Ofer prison as Palestinians to be released
10:13 , Alex CroftDrones have been filmed dropping leaflets near Ofer prison, where Palestinian prisoners are set to be released.
“We are watching you everywhere,” the leaflets read.
“If you express any support for or affiliation with a terrorist organization, you will expose yourself to arrest and severe penalties. You have been warned.”
Israel to deport 154 freed Palestinian detainees
10:04 , Alex CroftIsrael will deport 154 released Palestinian detainees outside Israel and the Palestinian territories, an official involved in the operation told Reuters news agency on Monday.
It has brought confusion to the Palestinian relatives and friends waiting for their release, some of whom have only just found out that the detainee is set to be deported.
Buses carrying freed Palestinian detainees as part of the ceasefire and hostage release deal began moving towards the Palestinian enclave from Israeli prisons, footage on Israeli television showed.
Israel confirms all 20 living hostages have been released by Hamas
09:58 , Alex CroftAll of the 20 hostages who were still alive in Gaza are now in the hands of Israeli authorities.
Seven hostages were released early this morning and have crossed the border into Israel, where they will be reunited with their families and taken for checks in hospital.
Hours later, the remaining 13 hostages were transferred from Hamas to the Red Cross, and then into the hands of the Israeli military, who is now taking them out of Gaza.
It brings an end to an agonising two-year wait for the families and friends of the hostages.
In Israel, the bodies of 28 dead hostages still remain. They are due to be freed during this phase of the ceasefire, but it is unclear exactly when this will take place.
You can read the names and details of all the hostages who have been freed here.
