![Israeli protesters gather in Hostage Square with banners and photos of Israeli hostages during the demonstration demanding an agreement for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza on September 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. [Mostafa Alkharouf - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AA-20250913-39106835-39106825-DEMONSTRATIONS_CONTINUE_IN_TEL_AVIV_DEMANDING_A_CEASEFIRE_IN_GAZA_AND_THE_RETURN_OF_ISRAELI_HOSTAGES.jpg)
Israel said Sunday that hostages held in Gaza are expected to be released early Monday under a Gaza ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Israel “is ready to receive hostages if they are released earlier,” said Shosh Bedrosian, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. She added that Israel will free Palestinian detainees once the hostages are safely returned from Gaza. Under the ceasefire deal, 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained in Gaza since October 2023, will be released in exchange for 48 Israeli hostages, including 20 alive. US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a 20-point plan he laid out on Sept. 29 to […]
