TEL AVIV (Oct 14) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, along with President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal, welcomed US President Donald Trump upon his arrival at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Monday.
The visit came as Hamas released seven hostages, the first group freed as part of a ceasefire agreement that paused two years of brutal conflict between Israel and Hamas in the devastated Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the hostages were now in their custody, though there was no immediate update on their medical condition. IDF medical teams are accompanying the released hostages for initial evaluation before their reunion with families. Officials said the army is prepared to receive additional hostages expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later in the day.
According to Hamas, 20 living hostages are to be freed in total in exchange for the release of more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Families of the hostages erupted in cheers as Israeli television channels reported that the Red Cross had taken custody of the captives. Across the country, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered for public viewings of the handover, including a large event in Tel Aviv.
International Response
The European Union announced plans to restart its civilian monitoring mission at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Wednesday, in support of the ceasefire deal.
“The EU stands ready to do its part,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on X, adding that the mission “can play an important role in supporting the ceasefire.” Kallas praised President Trump for his diplomatic efforts, saying, “Today marks a rare moment of hope in the Middle East. The release of hostages is a major success for diplomacy and a crucial milestone toward peace.”
China also welcomed the hostage release, calling it a “positive step” toward restoring stability. “China hails the developments and calls for restraint and dialogue,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian in Beijing.
Background: Two Years of Conflict
The ceasefire marks the first pause in hostilities since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October 2023, after a surprise cross-border attack by Hamas killed more than 1,200 Israelis and saw hundreds taken hostage. Israel responded with a massive military campaign in Gaza that flattened entire neighborhoods and displaced over two million people.
Over the next two years, Gaza’s humanitarian situation deteriorated sharply under heavy bombardment and blockades, while repeated mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States failed to achieve lasting peace. The conflict claimed tens of thousands of lives — mostly Palestinian civilians — and drew widespread international condemnation.
The new US-brokered truce, which took months of back-channel negotiations, represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the start of the war. Both sides have agreed to a temporary cessation of hostilities, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Still, Israeli officials have warned that the ceasefire remains fragile and contingent on Hamas fulfilling its commitments.
As President Trump’s visit underscores renewed diplomatic engagement, hopes remain cautious — that this truce could lay the groundwork for a longer-term peace process in one of the world’s most volatile regions.