Hostage release could come as soon as Monday: Trump
Share and Follow


() President Donald Trump says the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza may be released as soon as Monday, under a peace plan the White House helped broker between Israel and Hamas.

Trump offered that timeline Wednesday on Fox News and in a phone call with the families of hostages.

A total of 20 Israeli hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza, while Hamas holds the bodies of an additional 28 Israelis in the war-torn Palestinian enclave. In exchange for the release of hostages, Israel was expected to free Palestinian prisoners and begin withdrawing from the majority of Gaza.

Questions remained whether longer-term aspects of the U.S.-brokered peace deal including the disarming of Hamas and a different political body to govern Palestinians will come to fruition. But for now, leaders across the globe expressed hope that Gaza was on the cusp of peace two years after the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas incursion into Israel triggered the war.

Trump said earlier Wednesday that he may travel to the Middle East to oversee the ceasefire deal. 

The peace agreement comes after Trump intensified diplomatic efforts to halt the war, after Israel carried out strikes against Hamas officials residing in Qatar and without consulting the U.S. Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the strike against a major military ally of the U.S. and the primary negotiator in efforts to end the war. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from Trump, agreed to the president’s 20-point plan for ending the war with Hamas. Trump relied on a coalition of leaders from Arab, Gulf and Muslim-majority countries to pressure Hamas to also accept the deal. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Grey's Anatomy star reveals cancer battle as character suffers same

Grey’s Anatomy Star’s Real-Life Cancer Battle Mirrors On-Screen Drama

Fans of “Grey’s Anatomy” experienced an emotional moment during the recent midseason…
True scale of America's mutant meat scandal sparks alarm in government

U.S. Government on High Alert Over Controversial Mutant Meat Concerns

Advisers to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are expressing concerns that the issues…
In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, a Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft flies alongside a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Oct. 15, 2025. (U.S. Air Force via AP)

Contradicting Trump: U.S. Achieves Record Cocaine Seizures Despite Skepticism on Drug Boat Interdictions

MIAMI — President Donald Trump has defended his decision to authorize military…
Kate back to nature as she bakes bread on a fire in blissful video

Watch Kate’s Rustic Return: Baking Bread Over an Open Fire in Tranquil Video

The Princess of Wales has unveiled her third film, a heartfelt celebration…
Michael J. Fox, Kate Bosworth, Nikki Glaser and more

Michael J. Fox, Kate Bosworth, and Nikki Glaser Among Notable Personalities Making Waves

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research hosted its yearly fundraising…
Broadway icon and Gilmore Girls star dead at 84 after cancer battle

Beloved Broadway and ‘Gilmore Girls’ Star Passes Away at 84 After Courageous Cancer Fight

Elizabeth Franz, the celebrated Tony Award-winning actress renowned for her performance in…
Texas A&M extending coach Mike Elko as high-profile jobs open up

Texas A&M Secures Coach Mike Elko Amidst Emerging High-Profile Opportunities

Mike Elko seems set to remain at College Station for the foreseeable…
FILE - Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 28, 2025. (Pool File via AP, file)

New Jersey Resident Arrested by FBI for Vandalizing Federal Prosecutor Alina Habba’s Office

A man has been taken into custody after federal authorities accused him…