A top Hamas official announced on the morning of October 11th, 2025, that the release of hostages is scheduled to commence Monday morning. This announcement comes amid ongoing international diplomatic efforts related to the Gaza conflict. This development was reported by AFP and aligns with previous indications that Hamas had begun preparing hostages for release. The timing of the release is significant as it precedes a planned Gaza leaders' summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for which the U.S. State Department has expanded the invitation list. Israel has confirmed it will not participate in this summit. Previous reports from October 11th, 2025, indicated that IDF forces neutralized one suspect and arrested another who attempted to smuggle individuals across the Egyptian border into Israeli territory. The arrested suspect was transferred for treatment and processing following the incident. Additionally, IDF fighter Samuel Gad Rahamim was confirmed dead on October 11th, 2025, after sustaining injuries from a grenade blast in the Gaza Strip. Amidst these developments, a senior Hamas official reiterated on October 11th, 2025, that the movement's weapons are non-negotiable until a Palestinian state is established, a stance that presents a hurdle in the peace process brokered under President Donald Trump's program. Hamas also announced it would miss the signing ceremony for a Gaza peace deal. U.S. diplomatic and military engagement continues, with Chief of Staff Major General Eyal Zamir touring the Gaza Strip with U.S. officials, including U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Vitkoff and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper. They observed absorption plans for returning hostages. U.S. Air Force logistics aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport between 11:37 AM and 12:37 PM UTC on October 11th, 2025, confirmed by Admiral Cooper, amid the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The U.S. Army is also reportedly establishing a military headquarters on an IDF base in Israel to monitor the Gaza ceasefire and the "Trump program."
