U.S. President Donald Trump says hostages held by Hamas in Gaza will be freed early next week.
He described the expected release as a key step toward lasting peace and Gaza’s reconstruction.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is expected to take place on Monday or Tuesday marking what he described as a major step toward a lasting peace agreement in the Middle East.
Trump disclosed the development during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday, October 9, where he discussed the breakthrough deal reached the previous day. The accord is part of a broader plan aimed at restoring calm in Gaza and paving the way for reconstruction and political reconciliation.
“We are getting the hostages back on Monday or Tuesday, and that will be a day of joy,” Trump said, characterizing the expected release as the first tangible result of ongoing negotiations with regional partners.
According to the agreement, around 20 surviving hostages are to be freed simultaneously, approximately 72 hours after the ceasefire formally begins. The President acknowledged that recovering the remains of those who died in captivity may take longer, saying, “Some of the bodies are going to be a little bit hard to find.”
Trump also revealed that he intends to travel to the Middle East for a signing ceremony likely to be held in Egypt. While final details are still being arranged, White House officials confirmed that the trip is being prioritized as a symbolic show of commitment to peace.
The President further confirmed that he had accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, if scheduling permits. “If they want me to speak, I’ll be there,” Trump added, suggesting the visit could serve as an opportunity to reinforce U.S. support for both Israel’s security and regional stability.
Looking beyond the hostage release, Trump said the next phase of the agreement would focus on rebuilding Gaza and restoring basic living conditions. “We’re going to create something where people can live, because right now, you can’t live in Gaza,” he stated. “This is about giving people hope, rebuilding lives, and ensuring this peace holds forever.”
The President expressed optimism that the deal, which comes after months of intermittent violence and diplomatic tension, could mark the beginning of what he called “an everlasting peace.”
“This is a start,” he said. “It’s been decades of conflict, but this time we’re bringing something different real commitments, real change, and real peace.”
If the hostages’ release proceeds as planned, the event will be seen as a significant diplomatic win for the Trump administration, though analysts caution that challenges in Gaza’s reconstruction and political divisions could test the durability of the ceasefire.
