‘Moment of relief’: World leaders react as Hamas frees Israeli hostages

Hamas handed over the final 13 Israeli hostages to the Red Cross on Monday. This comes after the release of 7 other hostages.

In a post on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the second group ofliving Israeli hostages has been transferred safely. “According to the information received from the Red Cross now, 13 hostages have been transferred to their hands, and they are on their way to the IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip area,” it wrote.

According to a report in The New York Times, this marks the start of an exchange as part of aceasefire between Israel and Hamas that was also anticipated to see Israel release over 2,000 Palestinian prisoners later in the day.

As per the terms of the ceasefire agreement, 20 living captives were scheduled to be given over this morning, with the bodies of up to 28 others released.

During his brief visit to mark the first phase of the peace deal between the nations, US President Trump is expected to address the Israeli Knesset, the country's parliament. The US President will also meet with the families of hostages before he leaves for Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in a Middle East peace ceremony.

Several world leaders have reacted to the news of Israeli hostages being released.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that this would mark the beginning of a ‘new era’ for the country. “Tomorrow, the sons will return to their borders. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path. A path of building, a path of healing, and I hope - a path of uniting hearts,” he said.

מחר ישובו בנים לגבולם.

מחר זו תחילתה של דרך חדשה.
דרך של בנייה, דרך של ריפוי, ואני מקווה - דרך של איחוד לבבות. pic.twitter.com/BepFQzpHTB

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 12, 2025

In a post on X, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacted to the first phase of the US-backed plan to end the war.

“Today is the first, crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East. Now, we must deliver lasting peace and a secure future for the whole region. The UK is providing additional humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, and we will lead efforts to accelerate its reconstruction,” he wrote.

Today is the first, crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East.

Now we must deliver lasting peace and a secure future for the whole region.

The UK is providing additional humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, and we will lead efforts to accelerate its reconstruction.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 13, 2025

Calling it ‘deeply gratifying,’ Trump's senior envoy Steve Witkoff said that he had "wondered if I would ever see this day."

In a social media post, Witkoff said, “I wondered if I would ever see this day. It’s deeply gratifying to know that so many families will finally have their loved ones home. Today, 20 families are spared the unbearable pain of not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones again. But even in this moment of relief and happiness, my heart aches for those whose loved ones will not return alive."

I wondered if I would ever see this day. It’s deeply gratifying to know that so many families will finally have

their loved ones home. Today, twenty families are spared the unbearable pain of not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones again. But even in this moment of…

— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) October 13, 2025

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the released hostages and stated that Israel is “waiting for everyone—every last one”. “And the children shall return to their own borders. With thanks to God, we welcome our loved ones home. We are waiting for everyone — every last one,” he wrote on X.

“And the children shall return to their own borders.”
With thanks to God we welcome our loved ones home.

We are waiting for everyone — every last one. ????

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 13, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the ceasefire deal’s finalisation, calling it ‘a historical milestone’. “The return of the Israeli hostages is a moment of pure joy for those families. And a moment of relief for the entire world. It means that a page can be turned. A new chapter can begin. Europe fully supports the peace plan brokered by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye,” she wrote.

The return of the Israeli hostages is a moment of pure joy for those families.

And a moment of relief for the entire world.

It means that a page can be turned. A new chapter can begin.

Europe fully supports the peace plan brokered by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and…

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 13, 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed joy with the Israeli families and stated that with the release of the hostages, ‘peace becomes possible’.

“I share the joy of the families and of the Israeli people as seven hostages have just been handed over to the Red Cross. My team and I had recently met their parents. Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Alon Ahel and Guy Gilboa-Dalal are safe. With their release — and that of the 13 other hostages expected this morning — peace becomes possible for Israel, for Gaza, and for the region," he said.

I share the joy of the families and of the Israeli people as seven hostages have just been handed over to the Red Cross. My team and I had recently met their parents.

Eitan Mor, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Alon Ahel and Guy Gilboa-Dalal are safe.…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 13, 2025