STORY: Preparations were underway in Khan Younis on Monday (October 13) to welcome returning Palestinian prisoners, as Hamas handed over some of its last surviving Israeli hostages, a key step in ending two years of devastating conflict in Gaza.

A dozen masked and black-clad gunmen, apparently members of Hamas' armed wing, arrived at Nasser Hospital where a stage and chairs had been laid out to welcome the prisoners.

The releases are one of the most important parts of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement concluded last week in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where Trump and more than 20 other world leaders will be meeting later on Monday.

Trump landed in Israel shortly after the announced release of the first batch of hostages. He will address the parliament before heading to Egypt.

The conflict was sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that killed around 1,200 people in Israel with 251 taken hostage. Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults have since devastated Gaza, killing more than 67,000 Palestinians, the enclave's health officials say.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VARIOUS OF HAMAS MEMBERS STANDING GUARD IN KHAN YOUNIS DURING PREPARATIONS TO WELCOME RELEASED PALESTINIAN PRISONERS / PALESTINIANS GATHERING OUTSIDE NASSER HOSPITAL / COMMENTS BY PALESTINIAN MOTHERS OF PRISONERS

RESENDING WITH FULL SCRIPT.

SHOWS: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF ARMED HAMAS MEMBERS STANDING GUARD AS PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY TO WELCOME RELEASED PRISONERS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOTHER OF PALESTINIAN PRISONER TO BE RELEASED, UMM AHMED ABU HUSSEIN, SAYING:

“This war was waged for the sake of the prisoners, and God fulfilled our wishes despite all the pain and all the hopes, and despite (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, (U.S. President) Donald Trump, and others, and the whole world, the prisoners were released.”

3. PALESTINIANS GATHERING AT THE SCENE

4. VARIOUS OF ARMED HAMAS MEMBERS AT THE SCENE

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOTHER OF PALESTINIAN PRISONER TO BE RELEASED, UMM YOUSSEF AL-DAOUR, SAYING:

“It’s a mother’s feeling - what else can I be feeling? I am extremely happy, just to see him and hug him, and know that he is fine. Thank God for his blessings, may He release all the captives, and those who remain detained, may God release them.”

6. PALESTINIANS GATHERING OUTSIDE NASSER HOSPITAL