STORY: Red cross vehicles were seen leaving Gaza City on Monday (October 13), after Hamas handed over the first group of the last surviving Israeli hostages seized in the October 7, 2023, attack.

The remaining 13 confirmed living hostages, along with the bodies of 26 dead hostages and another two whose fate is unknown, are also expected to be released on Monday, along with nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners.

The releases are a key step in ending two years of devastating conflict in Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Two years of war have left Gaza in ruins, with nearly all its people homeless, and caused a humanitarian disaster on a massive scale. It has also reshaped the Middle East through Israeli conflicts with Iran, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis.

Progress towards a lasting peace now hinges on global commitments that may be taken up by a summit later on Monday of more than 20 world leaders led by Trump in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

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

1. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GATHERED AT HOSTAGE RELEASE SITE

2. RED CROSS VEHICLES DRIVING THROUGH GATE

3. HAMAS MILITANTS STANDING GUARD BY GATE / PEOPLE GATHERED

4. VARIOUS OF RED CROSS VEHICLES LEAVING SITE / PEOPLE CHEERING

5. VARIOUS OF RED CROSS VEHICLES DRIVING AWAY