U.S. President Donald Trump mediated a reconciliation between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had not spoken since the war in Gaza began. As part of this mediation, Trump called Sisi, who then invited Netanyahu to an Arab peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh, according to a source close to Barak Ravid. This development occurred between 8:35 AM and 9:35 AM UTC on October 13th, 2025, amidst the return of 13 hostages to Israeli territory. Thirteen hostages were transferred to IDF forces within Gaza and are now en route to Israel for initial medical evaluations and to reunite with their families, according to 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 asked the public for responsibility and sensitivity regarding the returnees' privacy. During a limousine trip from Ben Gurion Airport to the Knesset, President Trump invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to the Sharm El Sheikh conference. Netanyahu agreed, and Trump subsequently mediated the conversation between the two leaders. An American official stated that Trump had begun mediating between Sisi and Netanyahu, who had not spoken since the war began. The Egyptian President's Office confirmed that both Abu Mazen and Netanyahu will attend the summit. Earlier in the reporting period, seven hostages were confirmed to have crossed into Israeli territory. The previous report indicated that 13 hostages were released to the Red Cross and transferred to Israeli forces between 7:06 AM and 8:05 AM UTC. The joint notice from the IDF spokesman and Shin Bet stated that 13 kidnapped individuals met IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip and are making their way to Israel. IDF commanders and soldiers saluted and embraced the returnees on their way to Israel. President Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the Knesset bureau extended by 45 minutes, impacting the schedule for Trump's address to the Knesset. The Shin Bet Head Zini was seen in discourse with Chief of Staff Zamir in the Knesset during this period. Hamas had previously stated it was no longer holding any living hostages and was set to begin returning the remains of 28 dead hostages, though the terror group indicated it did not know the location of some bodies. Separately, initial preparation for the arrival of the Indonesian President to Israel tomorrow is underway. The Chief of Staff is also considering attending the summit in Sharm El Sheikh. Footage has shown Gali and Ziv Berman in Maccabi uniforms.
