U.S. President Donald Trump mediated an agreement for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend a peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh, announced this morning, October 13th, 2025. This development occurred as thirteen hostages were confirmed to have been released and transferred to IDF forces within Gaza between 7:06 AM and 10:05 AM UTC, according to joint IDF and Shin Bet notices and multiple reports. President Trump is currently in Israel and has declared "The war is over." Thirteen hostages were transferred to IDF forces and are en route to Israel for medical evaluations and family reunification, as confirmed by a joint notice from the IDF spokesman and Shin Bet issued within the reporting window. Among those returning are Eitan Moore, Ziv Berman, and Gali Berman, whose transport helicopters took off for hospitals accompanied by their families. The IDF has requested public responsibility and sensitivity regarding the returnees' privacy. Separately, Yair Golan congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu for joining the Sharm El Sheikh summit alongside Abu Mazen, stating that the agreements made are life-saving. President Trump invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to the Sharm El Sheikh conference during a trip from Ben Gurion Airport to the Knesset. Netanyahu agreed, and Trump subsequently mediated the conversation between the Israeli Prime Minister and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who had not spoken since the war in Gaza began. The Egyptian President's Office confirmed that both Abu Mazen and Netanyahu will attend the summit. President Trump is scheduled to address the Knesset and meet with former hostages later this morning. Earlier in the reporting period, seven hostages were confirmed to have crossed into Israeli territory. Hamas has stated it is no longer holding any living hostages and is set to begin returning the remains of 28 dead hostages, though the terror group has indicated it does not know the location of some bodies. The release of thirteen hostages to the Red Cross and their subsequent transfer to Israeli forces occurred between 7:06 AM and 8:05 AM UTC. Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to arrive in Israel tomorrow, October 14th, 2025. President Trump is expected to state in his speech to the Knesset, "Join Israel in both readings - never forgotten and never more."
