DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel and Hamas moved ahead on a key first step of the tenuous Gaza ceasefire agreement on Monday by freeing hostages and prisoners, raising hopes that the U.S.-brokered deal might lead to a permanent end to the two-year war that ravaged the Palestinian territory.

As the ceasefire began, Israel released more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages freed by Hamas. Amid the rubble in Gaza, families begin to find their way home.

War is over,” declared Donald Trump Sunday night, as the first phase of the U.S.-backed 20-point Gaza peace plan got underway. Hamas has returned the remaining 20 living hostages back to Israel, while Israel has released around 2,

Palestinians are celebrating as Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinians from prison in exchange for Hamas’ freeing of Israeli hostages.

The New York mayoral candidate said he'd be open to giving Trump credit if the peace deal "proves to be something that is lasting."

All 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel were released on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, as part of an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has for two years waged a brutal and systematic war against Hamas, are returning home and beginning to reckon with the destruction caused by the conflict.

After the release of the last living hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees, the tenuous ceasefire in Gaza was holding Tuesday while questions remain over other key parts of a U.S. plan for the region.