Hamas frees all 20 surviving Israeli hostages, Trump says war is 'over'

Hamas handed over the 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday under a ceasefire agreement, as U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders geared up for a summit on Gaza.

In Tel Aviv, a huge crowd that gathered to support hostage families erupted in joy, tears, and song as news broke of the first releases, though the pain of the loss of those who had not survived was palpable.

The releases are part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, with Israel due to free nearly 2,000 detainees held in its jails in exchange.

The handover came as Trump arrived in Israel for a lightning visit ahead of a trip to Egypt for a peace summit, having declared the war "over."

"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 Israeli military and security service said.

Citing an Israeli official, the country's public broadcaster later reported the release of 13 other hostages.

Israel has said it does not expect all of the dead hostages to be returned on Monday.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas was due to return the bodies of the 27 hostages who died or were killed in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014 during a previous Gaza conflict.

Among those Israel was due to release in exchange are 250 security detainees, including many convicted of killing Israelis. About 1,700 people were detained by the Israeli army in Gaza during the war.

On October 7, 2023, militants seized 251 hostages during Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel, which led to the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians.

All but 47 of those hostages were freed in earlier truces, with the families of those who have remained in captivity leading lives of constant pain and worry for their loved ones.

In Gaza, too, the ceasefire has brought relief, but with much of the territory flattened by war, the road to recovery remains long.

Trump's visit to the Middle East aims to celebrate his role in brokering last week's ceasefire and hostage release deal, but it comes at a precarious time as Israel and Hamas negotiate what comes next.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One at the start of the "very special" visit, Trump brushed off concerns about whether the ceasefire would endure.

"I think it's going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It's been centuries," he said of the fighting.

"The war is over. Okay? You understand that?" the U.S. president said.

In Israel, Trump is due to meet the families of hostages before addressing the Israeli parliament.