Hamas frees all 20 prisoners, urges mediators to ensure Israel adheres to the deal

GAZA / TEL AVIV (MNTV) — In a major development following the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, brokered by the US, all 20 Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza have now been freed and returned to Israeli territory.

The final group of 13 hostages crossed over on Monday, following an earlier handover of seven, completing the full release. The Israel forces confirmed that the second batch of 13 prisoners entered Israel under Red Cross supervision.

Authorities say the released prisoners will receive medical attention and will later be given to their respective families.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office has published the names of 1,718 Palestinian detainees, including 250 serving life sentences, who are slated for release in return for the captives.

These exchanges come as part of President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, mediated by the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye.

Hamas first transferred seven captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) earlier on Monday as part of the agreement’s implementation.

Israeli media and official statements stated that once the return of all captives was confirmed, the prisoner releases would begin.

In a statement, Hamas confirmed it had fulfilled its commitment under the agreement and called on mediators to ensure that Israel adheres to the deal’s provisions.

The group’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, described the ceasefire as “a result of the steadfastness of our people and their resistance,” reaffirming commitment to the agreed timelines.

President Donald Trump, who arrived in Israel earlier in the day, hailed the release as “a moment of hope after years of suffering,” ahead of his planned address to the Knesset.

He described the moment as historic, emphasizing that the deal represents a turning point after more than two years of inhumane genocide by Israel.

Following his speech, Trump is set to travel to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, where over 20 world leaders are expected to convene for a regional peace summit aimed at consolidating the ceasefire and discussing Gaza’s political future.

Al Jazeera reported that the hostages were released in “reasonable condition,” escorted through the Rafah crossing under ICRC supervision.

The network also noted that preparations were underway in Gaza for the simultaneous release of Palestinian prisoners, with families gathering near hospitals and checkpoints to welcome their loved ones’ return.

However, it cited Hamas officials expressing concern over discrepancies in Israel’s list of detainees scheduled for release.

According to Trump’s plan, the second phase of the agreement envisions the formation of a new governing authority in Gaza, excluding Hamas, alongside the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force and gradual disarmament of militant factions.

The ceasefire follows two years of devastation in Gaza, during which Israeli operations have killed more than 67,800 Palestinians in Gaza, the majority among them women and children, leaving much of the enclave in ruins, according to Palestinian health authorities.

As the captives’ return made regional headlines, President Trump was in Israel to address the Knesset and later travel to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh for a regional summit.

Despite the celebrated exchange, obstacles loom. The two sides still disagree over Hamas’s future role, disarmament, and how Gaza will be governed.

Israel remains in parts of Gaza for military control, and questions persist regarding verification, sequencing, and full compliance from both parties.

Rights groups also warn that the process must ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire, which wants Israel to leave Gaza, guarantee a clear path for resumption of humanitarian aid flows into Gaza, and safe return of the bodies of the deceased prisoners.

For now, the return of every living prisoner is being cast as a milestone — one that holds both emotional weight for families and political significance as stakeholders in the region seek to shift from war to negotiation.